THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


DIVINE   GOVERNMENT 


IN 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

COLLECTED  AND  ARRANGED  BT 

S.  HIGGINS  AND  W.  H.  BRISBANE. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY  ON  PROVIDENCE. 

BY 

REV.  JOSEPH  CASTLE,  D.  D. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PERKINPINE    &    HIGGINS, 

No.  56  NORTH  FOURTH  STREET. 
1865. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1859,  by 
S.  HIGOINS  AND  W.  H.  BRISBANE, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  and  for  th« 
Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania, 

HEARS  *  DU8ENBKBT,  STER50TYPER3.  0.  BHSRM1S  *  SOS,  PRINTERS. 


3T 
155" 

\\55i 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY 


PART  I. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN  THE  PRE- 
SERVATION OF  HUMAN  LIFE 16 

SECTION  I. — PRESERVATION    OF   HUMAN    LIFE    BY    INTELLIGENT 

AGENTS         ...  ....      17 

II. — PRESERVATION   OF  HUMAN  LIFE  BY  UNINTELLIGENT 

AGENTS         . 35 

III. — PRESERVATION  OF  HUMAN  LIFE  BY  MENTAL  IMPRES- 
SIONS, DREAMS,  &c 48 


PART  II. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN  THE  RELIEF 

OF  SUFFERING  AND  DELIVERANCE  FROM  DANGER         71 

SECTION  I. — RELIEF  AFFORDED  THROUGH  INTELLIGENT  AGENTS       .      73 
II. — RELIEF  AFFORDED  THROUGH  UNINTELLIGENT  AGENTS  .     106 
III. — RELIEF  AFFORDED  THROUGH  MENTAL    IMPRESSIONS, 

DREAMS,  &c.  r  >%'-   7 /g  *N     ....     120 
*-*>  t  «>O*i:  €  m 

LIBRARf 


iv  TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 

PART  III. 

MM 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN  THE  PUN- 
ISHMENT OF  SIN  AND  THE  DEFEAT  OF  WICKED 
PLANS 147 

SECTION  I. — PUNISHMENT  AND  DEFEAT  OF  WICKEDNESS  THROUGH 

INTELLIGENT  AGENTS 149 

II. — PUNISHMENT  AND  DEFEAT  OF  WICKEDNESS  THROUGH 

UNINTELLIGENT  AGENTS 156 

III. — PUNISHMENT  AND  DEFEAT  OF  WICKEDNESS  THROUGH 

MENTAL  IMPRESSIONS,  DREAMS,  &c.        .        .        .     165 
IV. — PUNISHMENT  AND  DEFEAT  OF  WICKEDNESS  THROUGH 

MEANS  UNKNOWN 182 

PART  IV. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN  THE  CON- 
VERSION OF  MEN 195 

SECTION  I. — CONVERSIONS  EFFECTED  THROUGH  HUMAN  AGENCY       .     197 
II. — CONVERSIONS  EFFECTED  BY  MEANS  OF  THE  BIBLE  OR 

UNINTELLIGENT  AGENTS 225 

III. — CONVERSIONS    EFFECTED  THROUGH  MENTAL  IMPRES- 
SIONS, DREAMS,  &c 236 

PART  V. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN  RELATION 

TO  THE  SABBATH      . 277 

PART  VI. 
ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  FAITH  IN  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE        .     303 

PART  VII. 

MISCELLANEOUS  ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVI- 
DENCE .  .  369 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 


THAT  we  are,  and  that  we  have  sorrows,  and  need  com- 
forts, and  must  die,  are  stern  realities.  What  we  are, 
whence  we  came,  arid  where  we  are  to  go,  after  life's  fitful 
fever,  are  questions  of  deep,  absorbing  interest,  in  com- 
parison with  which  every  other  question,  relating  to  earth 
and  time,  is  light  as  air.  Either  we  came  from  nothing, 
and  to  nothing  we  must  return,  or  there  is  an  infinitely 
wise  and  almighty  first  Cause,  the  Author  of  all  things, 
who  made  us,  and  made  us  for  some  great  end,  worthy  of 
Himself,  and  of  the  nature  he  has  given  us.  Which  shall 
we  choose  ?  Reason  rejects  the  former,  for  it  contradicts 
all  reason,  and  makes  Reason  a  name  without  a  meaning ; 
the  latter  satisfies  many  of  the  demands  of  reason,  while 
it  leaves  unexplored,  depths  reason  at  present  cannot 
fathom,  and  heights  to  which  it  may  not  soar.  The  finite 
cannot  comprehend  perfectly  the  infinite.  We  can  merely 
touch  upon  some  of  the  segments  of  a  circle,  the  circum- 
ference of  which  is  boundless.  "  Canst  thou  by  searching 
find  out  God?  Canst  thou  find  out  the  Almighty  unto 
perfection  ?  It  is  high  as  heaven,  what  canst  thou  do  ? 
Deeper  than  hell,  what  canst  thou  know  ?  The  measure 
thereof  is  longer  than  the  earth,  and  broader  than  the 
1*  (5) 


vi  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

sea."  Shall  we,  therefore,  reject  it,  though  reasonable, 
because  we  cannot  wholly  comprehend  it,  and  embrace  the 
unreasonable  which  reason  repudiates  ?  This  would  be 
the  extreme  of  folly. 

The  belief  in  the  existence  of  one  true  God  is  vital  to 
every  great  and  sublime  verity  of  religion,  whether  natural 
or  revealed.  It  is  the  only  foundation  which  can  sustain 
conscience,  faith,  hope,  charity,  and  all  which  tends  to 
adorn  and  exalt  humanity.  We  can  conceive  of  no  other 
source  from  which  the  voice  of  authority  can  be  uttered, 
making  known  man's  whole  duty,  interest,  and  destiny. 
He  who  rejects  it,  rejects  the  noblest  part  of  his  nature, 
and  the  grandest  revealings  of  his  privileges,  and  sinks 
himself  to  a  common  brotherhood  with  brutes.  There 
may  be  men  in  the  pride  of  a  perverted  intellect,  while 
surrounded  by  the  fascinations  of  an  infamous  falsehood, 
and  cheered  on  by  kindred  spirits,  who  have  the  hardihood 
to  profess  faith  in  unbelief:  but  whether  any  man  can  be 
so  lost  to  all  that  constitutes  the  nobility  of  his  nature,  as 
in  the  sanctuary  of  his  retirement  to  persuade  himself  into 
the  belief  that  there  is  no  God,  may  be  seriously  doubted. 
Nature  revolts  against  it,  and  Reason  cries  shame  !  But 
if  such  there  be,  who  can  thus  outrage  nature  and  all  that 
is  godlike  in  man,  we  will  merely  say  in  the  language  of 
Scripture,  "the  devils  believe  and  tremble,"  and  it  is  the 
"fool"  who  hath  said  in  his  heart,  "there  is  no  God." 
"  That  which  may  be  known  of  God  is  manifest  in  them ; 
for  God  hath  showed  it  unto  them  ;  for  the  invisible  things 
of  him  from  the  creation  of  the  world  are  clearly  seen, 
being  understood  by  the  things  which  are  made,  even  his 
eternal  power  and  Godhead;  so  that  they  are  without 
excuse." 

From  the  slightest  view  of  nature  the  truth  comes  with 


INTRODUCTORY    KSSAY.  vii 

thrilling  interest,  we  are  not  monstrous  abortions,  or  father- 
less children  in  a  godless  world,  for  there  is  an  infinite 
Creator,  wise  as  he  is  powerful,  and  good  as  he  is  great, 
the  father  of  the  spirits  of  all  flesh.  Whether  we  look 
upon  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars,  the  work  of  his  fingers ; 
the  green  fields  and  rolling  floods ;  the  buds  and  blossoms, 
and  rich  ripe  fruit  in  the  harvest  time — upon  a  mountain 
or  an  atom ;  a  leviathan  or  an  insect ;  the  world  within 
us  or  the  world  without ;  the  conclusion  is  irresistible,  and 
consoling  as  true,  there  is,  there  must  be,  a  God  in  whom 
we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being. 

It  is  an  absurdity  equalled  only  by  the  day-dream  of 
a  maniac,  to  suppose  that  we  are  only  what  we  seem,  mere 
flesh  and  blood,  a  branching  channel,  and  a  mazy  flood — 
"  that  a  cluster  of  pretty,  thin,  round  atoms,  as  Democri- 
tus  conceited — that  a  well-mixed  combination  of  elements, 
as  Empedocles  fancied — that  a  harmonious  contemporation 
of  humors,  as  Galen  would  persuade  us,  should  become  the 
subject  of  so  rare  capacities  and  endowments;  the  author 
of  actions  so  worthy  and  works  so  wonderful ;  capable  of 
wisdom  and  virtue ;  of  knowledge  so  vast,  and  works  so 
lofty ;  apt  to  contemplate  truth  and  affect  good ;  able  to 
recollect  things  past,  and  foresee  things  future ;  to  search 
so  deep  into  the  causes  of  things,  and  disclose  so  many 
mysteries  of  nature ;  to  invent  so  many  arts  and  sciences, 
to  contrive  such  projects  of  policy,  and  achieve  such  feats 
of  prowess ;  briefly,  should  become  capable  to  design, 
undertake,  and  perform  all  those  admirable  effects  of 
human  wit  and  industry  which  we  daily  see  or  hear  of." 

"The  power,  wisdom,  and  design  conspicuous  in  the 
whole  system  of  nature ;  the  signs  of  divine  workmanship 
visible  in  the  heavens  ;  the  structure  of  the  earth  allotted 
for  our  habitation,  and  so  well  fitted  up  and  furnished  for 


viii  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

the  use  of  the  various  tribes  of  creatures,  and  of  man  its 
principal  inhabitant ;  the  exquisite  skill  and  amazing  art 
that  appear  in  the  forms  and  properties  of  vegetables,  in 
the  organs  and  faculties  of  animals,  in  the  mechanism  of 
the  human  body,  so  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made ;  and 
above  all,  in  the  human  soul,  with  its  various  intellectual 
and  moral  susceptibilities  and  powers,  are  clear  proofs  of 
an  original,  creating  mind.  Is  it  possible  to  conceive  that 
all  these  effects,  these  evident  appearances  of  counsel  and 
wisdom,  can  proceed  from  undirected,  fortuitous  motions 
of  unconscious  matter  ?  Can  we  imagine  that  all  the  regu- 
larity, harmony,  and  order  we  see  in  the  general  system 
of  things  can  be  the  result  of  chance  ?  If,  when  we  sur- 
vey a  palace,  and  observe  the  grandeur  and  symmetry  of 
the  whole,  and  the  elegance  and  just  disposition  of  its 
parts,  we  never  fail  to  infer  the  skill  and  ability  of  the 
architect :  shall  we  not  much  more  when  we  contemplate 
the  universe  ;  when  we  view  the  beauty  and  magnificence 
that  everywhere  appear ;  when  we  see  all  the  characters 
of  infinite  wisdom  and  power  in  the  design  and  execution, 
and  all  the  expressions  of  such  art  as  no  art  can  surpass, 
shall  we  not  discern  an  all-wise,  omnipotent  Architect,  who 
planned  and  erected  the  amazing  fabric  ?  In  short,  all  the 
works  of  creation  bear  such  evident  testimony  to  the 
agency  of  a  divine  intelligence,  that  it  scarce  seems  credi- 
ble that  atheism  should  ever  find  admission  into  the  human 
understanding." 

But  while  unbelief  in  the  divine  existence  is  rare,  and 
hardly  possible,  unbelief  in  the  particular  providence  of 
God  is  but  too  common ;  and  yet  this  is  atheism  in  one 
of  its  most  ruinous,  because  one  of  its  most  seductive  and 
practical  forms.  This  scheme  of  folly,  while  professing 
the  most  exalted  conceptions  of  the  greatness  and  grandeur 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  ix 

of  God,  in  reality  denies  him  his  essential  attributes, 
and  degrades  him  beneath  human  relations ;  nay,  beneath 
that  of  the  beasts  of  the  field.  Parents  live  and  labor  for 
their  children,  and  brutes  deny  themselves  to  gratify  their 
young ;  but  the  unbeliever's  God,  with  power  to  create  and 
give  form  and  beauty  to  stars  and  central  suns,  wrapped 
in  the  isolation  of  his  nature  knows  not  and  cares  not  for 
the  multitudinous  wants  of  the  creatures  his  own  almighty 
hand  has  formed !  A  God  that  does  not  know  us,  or  care 
for  us,  is  tantamount  to  no  God  at  all.  God's  providence 
cannot  be  separated  from  his  creation ;  the  one  necessarily 
implies  the  other,  for  it  is  not  conceivable  that  God  should 
create  all  things,  and  not  govern  all  things.  We  can  as 
readily  believe  that  God  did  not  create,  as  we  can  that  he 
does  not  govern,  for  the  same  power  that  created  is  neces- 
sary to  preserve  and  direct  to  the  fulfilment  of  his  own 
great  intention.  The  theory  of  mechanism  wholly  fails  to 
illustrate  the  order  of  divine  Providence.  The  machine 
may  be  made,  and  wound  up,  and  go  for  a  time,  without 
the  presence  of  the  artist ;  but  no  machine  can  exist  with- 
out something  external  to  itself;  and  what  is  external  to 
the  creation,  but  the  Creator  ?  His  presence  is  at  least 
as  necessary  to  uphold  the  creation  as  the  earth  is  to  uphold 
the  machine ;  and  if  he  uphold  the  whole,  he  upholds  all 
the  parts ;  and  is  it  conceivable  that  he  upholds  all,  and 
does  not  govern  and  direct  all  to  certain  definite  ends,  con- 
sistent with  his  own  purposes,  and  declarative  of  his  wisdom 
and  love  ?  It  is  not  by  a  system  of  springs  and  weights, 
and  checks  and  balances,  that  creation  is  upheld,  and  moves 
with  infinite  regularity  in  the  fulfilment  of  great  purposes, 
and  for  the  accomplishment  of  great  ends  ;  but  by  an  infi- 
nite Intelligence,  who  sees  the  end  from  the  beginning,  and 


X  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

knows  how  to  reconcile  things  apparently  the  most  irrecon- 
cilable, and  to  bring  order  out  of  confusion. 

He  who  in  the  beginning  created  the  heaven  and  the 
earth ;  who  said,  "  Let  there  be  light,  and  there  was  light — 
let  the  earth  bring  forth  grass  ;  the  herb  yielding  seed,  and 
the  fruit-tree  yielding  fruit  after  his  kind ;  let  the  waters 
bring  forth  abundantly  the  moving  creature  that  hath  life  ; 
and  let  us  make  man  in  our  image,  after  our  likeness,"  can- 
not want  ability  to  supervise  and  govern  all  that  his  power 
has  made.  All  must  be  dependent  on  Him,  who  created 
them  from  nothing;  and  to  him  it  must  be  infinitely  easy 
to  preside  over  all  things  and  all  events;  to  direct  all 
natural  causes  ;  to  govern  all  contingencies,  and  to  provide 
for  all  creatures.  And  as  he  cannot  be  wanting  in  power 
to  govern  the  world,  so  neither  can  he  be  defective  in  dispo- 
sition to  do  so.  "  As  certain  then  as  it  is  that  there  is  a 
God  who  created  all  things,  so  certain  is  it  that  he  acts  as 
Sovereign  of  the  Universe;  that  his  supreme  providence 
ruleth  over  all  things,  and  has  the  care  and  superintendence 
of  his  creation.  He  who  gave  us  being,  must  be  concerned 
for  our  well-being  too.  He  who  is  perfect  wisdom  and 
goodness,  will,  in  every  instance,  take  such  care  of  us  as 
perfect  wisdom  and  goodness  require.  And,  indeed,  far 
from  supposing  in  God  any  disinclination  to  superintend 
and  govern  the  world,  we  cannot  form  to  ourselves  an 
employment  more  glorious  in  itself,  or  more  worthy  of  his 
infinite  perfections,  than  from  his  throne  in  heaven  to 
inspect  the  immeasurable  dominions  of  his  universal  empire  ; 
to  have  the  administration  of  all  its  affairs ;  the  appoint- 
ment of  all  events  ;  and  to  conduct  the  whole  with  unerring 
wisdom  and  unrestricted  goodness."  What  can  be  more 
worthy  of  God,  or  more  conducive  to  virtue  and  piety  in 
his  children  ?  The  doctrine  of  divine  providence  is  taught 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  xi 

in  Holy  Scripture,  not  as  a  theory,  about  which  we  may 
speculate,  but  as  a  fact,  in  which  we  are  personally  inter- 
ested, and  which  is  designed  to  influence  our  lives,  and 
promote  our  peace  and  happiness.  It  is  taught  with  the 
greatest  distinctness,  to  deter  men  from  vicious  and  criminal 
practices  ;  to  encourage  virtue  and  piety ;  to  support  and 
console  amid  the  disappointments  and  distresses  of  life, 
and  to  assure  all  men  of  a  final  adjustment  of  all  the  inequal- 
ities, sufferings,  and  wrongs  of  the  present  life. 

To  quote  all  the  passages  which  teach  and  illustrate  this 
deeply  interesting  and  infinitely  important  doctrine,  would 
be  to  transcribe  a  large  part  of  the  Bible.  A  few  will 
suffice:  "Do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth?  saith  the  Lord." 
"  The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  in  every  place,  beholding  the 
evil  and  the  good."  "All  things  are  naked  and  opened  unto 
the  eyes  of  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do."  "0  Lord, 
thou  preservest  man  and  beast;"  and  "the  hairs  of  your 
head  are  all  numbered."  Other  passages  teach  the  doctrine 
of  a  particular  providence  over  nations,  kingdoms,  families, 
and  individuals,  in  their  prosperity  and  adversity  ;  in  their 
rise  and  fall ;  in  rewards  and  in  punishments.  But  it  is 
enough  to  say,  the  fact  is  distinctly  and  emphatically  asserted, 
as  extending  to  the  little  and  the  great ;  the  minute  and 
the  magnificent ;  the  near  and  the  remote  ;  the  quick  and 
the  dead ;  the  rational  and  irrational ;  so  as  to  accomplish 
all  the  good  purposes  of  his  will,  in  the  creation  and  preser- 
vation of  the  world. 

"  In  what  manner  Providence  interposes  in  human  affairs ; 
by  what  means  it  influences  the  thoughts  and  counsels  of 
man,  and,  notwithstanding  the  influence  it  exerts,  leaves  to 
them  the  freedom  of  will  and  choice, — are  subjects  of  dark 
and  mysterious  nature,  and  which  have  given  occasion  to 
many  an  intricate  controversy.  But,  though  the  mode  of 


lii  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY. 

the  Divine  operation  remains  unknown,  the  fact  of  an  over- 
ruling influence  is  equally  certain,  in  the  moral,  as  it  is  in 
the  natural  world.  In  cases  where  the  fact  is  clearly  authen- 
ticated, we  are  not  at  liberty  to  call  its  truth  in  question 
merely  because  we  understand  not  the  manner  in  which  it 
is  brought  about.  Nothing  can  be  more  clear  from  the 
testimony  of  Scripture,  than  that  God  takes  part  in  all  that 
happens  among  mankind,  directing  and  overruling  the  whole 
course  of  events,  so  as  to  make  every  one  of  them  answer 
the  designs  of  his  wise  and  righteous  government.  Through- 
out all  the  sacred  writings,  God  is  represented,  as  on  every 
occasion,  by  various  dispensations  of  his  providence,  reward- 
ing the  righteous,  or  chastening  them,  according  as  hia 
•wisdom  requires,  and  punishing  the  wicked.  We  cannot, 
indeed,  conceive  God  acting  as  governor  of  the  world  at 
all,  unless  his  government  were  extended  to  all  the  events 
that  happen.  It  is  upon  the  supposition  of  a  particular 
providence,  that  our  worship  and  prayers  to  him  are  founded. 
All  his  perfections  would  be  utterly  insignificant  to  us,  if 
they  were  not  exercised  on  every  occasion,  according  as 
the  circumstances  of  his  creatures  required.  The  Almighty 
would  then  be  no  more  than  an  unconcerned  spectator  of 
the  behavior  of  his  subjects,  regarding  the  obedient  and  the 
rebellious  with  an  equal  eye." 

Our  inability  to  comprehend,  explain,  and  reconcile  a 
particular  Providence  with  human  freedom,  is  not  a  ques- 
tion of  the  Divine  Sovereignty,  but  of  human  weakness. 
The  facts  are  independent  of  our  strength  or  weakness,  and 
•whether  we  can  reconcile  them  or  not,  they  are  reconcil- 
able, for  they  are  true,  and  all  truth  is  in  harmony.  Whether 
the  attempts  to  reconcile  them,  which  have  been  so  pro- 
foundly argued  and  ably  maintained,  by  great  and  good 
men  of  different  creeds,  be  satisfactory  or  not,  it  would  ill 


INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY.  xiii 

become  us  to  decide.  It  is  enough  for  us  to  know,  and 
with  this,  for  the  present,  we  must  rest  satisfied :  God 
reigns  ;  and  man  is  free,  a  responsible  subject  to  his  Sover- 
eign. And  instead  of  perplexing  ourselves  with  questions 
of  little  practical  value,  it  better  becomes  us,  adoring  with 
the  royal  Solomon,  to  say :  "  Thine,  0  Lord,  is  the  great- 
ness, and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  and  the  victory,  and  the 
majesty ;  for  all  that  is  in  heaven  and  in  the  earth  is 
thine  ;  thine  is  the  kingdom,  0  Lord,  and  thou  art  exalted 
as  head  above  all.  Both  riches  and  honor  come  of  thee, 
and  thou  reignest  over  all ;  and  in  thine  hand  is  power  and 
might ;  and  in  thine  hand  it  is  to  make  great,  and  to  give 
strength  unto  all.  Now  therefore,  our  God,  we  thank  thee, 
and  praise  thy  glorious  name." 

The  following  pages  are  designed  to  teach  and  illustrate, 
in  a  manner  the  most  interesting  to  all  classes,  the  ways  of 
God  with  men.  The  articles  are  short  and  pertinent,  and 
may  be  read  at  leisure  moments ;  and,  with  little  expense 
of  time,  lessons  of  great  practical  value  may  be  gathered. 
It  is  a  book  for  the  parlor,  the  study,  or  the  school-room, 
and  will  interest  children,  and  instruct  old  age.  From  the 
care  and  ability  with  which  the  articles  have  been  collected, 
through  a  series  of  years,  we  can  confidently  recommend 
this  book  to  all  Christian  people  as  one  that  will  do  them 
good. 

JOSEPH  CASTLE. 
PHILADELPHIA,  Oct  20th,  1858. 


PART   I. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN 
THE  PRESERVATION  OF  HUMAN  LIFE. 

"  The  Lord  shall  preserve  thee  from  all  evil :  He  shall  preserve  thy  soul. 
The  Lord  shall  preserve  thy  going  out  and  thy  coming  in  from  this  time  forth, 
and  even  for  ever  more." — PSALM  cxxi.  7,  8. 


(15) 


SECTION   I. 

Jife  |)nscrijcb  6j  Intelligent 

CHILD  CARRIED  AWAY  BY  AN  EAGLE. 

A  PEASANT,  with  his  wife  and  three  children, 
had  taken  up  his  summer  quarters  in  a  chalet,  and 
was  pasturing  his  flock  on  one  of  the  rich  Alps 
which  overhang  the  Durance.  The  oldest  boy  was 
an  idiot,  about  eight  years  of  age ;  the  second  was 
five  years  old,  and  dumb ;  and  the  youngest  was  an 
infant.  It  so  happened,  that  the  infant  was  left 
one  morning  in  charge  of  his  brothers,  and  the 
three  had  rambled  to  some  distance  from  the  chalet 
before  they  were  missed.  When  the  mother  went 
in  search  of  the  little  wanderers,  she  found  the  two 
elder,  but  could  discover  no  traces  of  the  babe.  The 
idiot  boy  seemed  to  be  in  a  transport  of  joy,  while 
the  dumb  child  displayed  every  symptom  of  alarm 
and  terror.  In  vain  did  the  terrified  parent  en- 
deavor to  collect  what  had  become  of  the  lost 
infant.  The  antics  of  the  one  and  the  fright  of 
2  (17) 


18  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

the  other  explained  nothing.  The  dumb  boy  was 
almost  bereft  of  his  senses,  while  the  idiot  appeared 
to  have  acquired  an  unusual  degree  of  mirth  and 
expression.  He  danced  about,  laughed,  and  made 
gesticulations  as  if  he  were  imitating  the  action  of 
one  who  had  caught  up  something  of  which  he  was 
fond,  and  hugged  to  his  heart.  This,  however,  was 
some  slight  comfort  to  the  poor  woman;  for  she 
imagined  that  some  acquaintance  had  fallen  in 
with  the  children,  and  had  taken  away  the  infant. 
But  the  day  and  night  wore  away,  and  no  tidings 
came  of  the  lost  child.  On  the  morrow,  when  the 
parents  were  pursuing  their  search,  an  eagle  flew 
over  their  heads,  at  the  sight  of  which  the  idiot 
renewed  his  antics,  and  the  dumb  boy  clung  to  his 
father,  with  shrieks  of  anguish  and  affright.  The 
horrible  truth  then  burst  upon  their  minds,  that 
the  miserable  infant  had  been  carried  off  in  the 
talons  of  a  bird  of  prey,  and  that  the  half-witted 
elder  brother  was  delighted  at  his  riddance  of  an 
object  of  whom  he  was  jealous. 

On  the  morning  of  this  occurrence,  an  Alpine 
yager  had  been  watching  near  an  eagle's  seat,  with 
the  hope  of  shooting  the  bird  on  her  return  to  the 
nest.  The  yager,  waiting  in  all  the  anxious  per- 
severance of  a  true  sportsman,  beheld  the  eagle 
slowly  winging  her  way  toward  the  rock,  behind 
which  he  was  concealed.  Imagine  his  horror, 
when,  upon  her  nearer  approach,  he  heard  the 
cries  and  distinguished  the  figure  of  an  infant 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  19 

in  her  fatal  grasp.  In  an  instant  his  resolution 
was  formed — to  fire  at  the  bird  at  all  hazards, 
the  moment  she  should  alight  on  her  nest,  and 
rather  to  kill  the  child,  than  leave  it  to  be  torn 
to  pieces  by  the  horrid  devourer.  With  a  silent 
prayer,  and  a  steady  aim,  the  mountaineer  poised 
his  rifle.  The  ball  went  directly  through  the  head 
of  the  eagle,  and,  in  a  moment  after,  the  gallant 
hunter  was  bearing  away  the  child  in  triumph.  It 
was  torn  in  the  arms  and  sides,  but  not  mortally 
wounded.  Twenty-four  hours  after  it  was  first 
missed,  it  was  happily  sleeping  in  its  mother's 
arms. 


PROVIDENTIAL  RESCUE. 


TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  GERMAN. 


ONE  day,  in  harvest  time,  my  mother  sent  me 
into  the  cellar  to  fetch  a  pitcher  of  beer  for  the 
reapers.  I  was  about  ten  years  old,  and  of  a  lively 
temper,  always  going  with  a  hop  and  a  bound 
rather  than  walking.  On  coming  into  the  dark 
cellar  I  felt  a  little  timid,  and,  to  keep  up  my 
courage,  sprang  and  danced  about  at  a  greater  rate 
than  usual. 

Now  it  happened  that  Harrach,  my  native  town, 
was  built  over  old  mines,  which  had  fallen  in  a 
long  time  before.  All  around  the  place  lie  great 
fragments  of  stone  from  the  abandoned  works,  and 


20  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

in  many  of  the  houses  are  found  half-opened  pas- 
sages, which  are  sometimes  used  as  cellars.  Our 
house,  likewise,  was  built  over  a  shaft,  but  this 
was  either  not  known  or  not  thought  of.  But 
while  I  was  capering  about,  and  had  just  seized 
the  pitcher  which  stood  in  the  corner,  suddenly  the 
earth  opened  under  me,  and  I  was  gone,  I  knew 
not  where. 

I  went  down  to  a  great  depth,  and  should  have 
plunged  to  the  very  bottom  of  the  abyss,  had  not  a 
hock,  which  probably  had  been  used  for  fastening 
the  minLig  ladder,  caught  me  by  the  coat.  At  the 
instant  of  falling  I  had  uttered  a  fearful  shriek, 
which  reached  the  ears  of  my  mother,  who  was 
busy  in  the  kitchen.  She  came  running  down 
with  a  light,  and  when  she  saw  the  opening  in 
the  ground,  and  could  neither  find  me  nor  hear 
answer  to  her  call,  she  could  not  doubt  that  I  had 
perished. 

My  mother  has  often  told  me  that  she  was  beside 
herself  with  terror,  and  was  near  plunging  down 
after  me.  It  became  so  dark  before  her  eyes  that 
she  could  hardly  sustain  herself  upon  her  trembling 
knees.  But  the  thought  that  possibly  I  might  yet 
be  rescued,  brought  her  to  herself. 

She  hastened  up  stairs  and  called  for  help ;  but 
no  one  heard  her,  for  all  the  household  were  at 
work  in  the  harvest  field.  It  was  not  until  she 
had  run  down  the  street  that  some  women  heard 
her,  and  hastened  to  the  spot.  They  stood  around 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  21 

wringing  their  hands  and  looking  down  into  the 
aperture,  but  knew  not  what  to  do. 

In  falling  I  had  lost  my  consciousness,  and  it 
would  have  been  a  happy  thing  to  have  remained 
thus  till  the  moment  of  my  deliverance.  But  after 
a  time  I  came  to  myself.  I  knew  not  where  I  was, 
but  I  felt  that  I  was  hanging  between  heaven  and 
earth,  and  that  the  next  moment  might  plunge  me 
into  the  bottomless  abyss.  I  hardly  ventured  to 
make  a  sound,  so  great  was  my  terror :  but  when  I 
heard  voices  and  piteous  lamentations  above  me,  I 
begged  in  God's  name  for  help.  At  this  the  lament- 
ations ceased  for  a  moment,  and  then  burst  out 
more  violently  than  before;  for  to  know  that  I  was 
alive,  and  yet  no  way  to  help  me,  only  added  to 
their  misery. 

There  was  no  lack  of  counsel.  Each  one  had 
.something  to  propose.  But  it  was  soon  seen  that 
nothing  was  to  be  effected  in  this  way.  They  tried 
to  let  down  cords,  but  they  did  not  reach  me.  Poles 
were  still  more  useless.  Indeed,  how  could  it  have 
been  possible  for  me  to  hold  on  to  a  cord  or  a  pole 
long  enough  to  draw  me  up  to  that  height  ? 

At  length  they  called  in  the  aid  of  an  old  miner, 
who  at  once  saw  what  was  to  be  done.  His  first 
business  was  carefully  to  enlarge  the  aperture.  He 
then  set  up  a  windlass  beside  it,  with  a  long  rope 
coiled  upon  it,  and  to  this  fastened  a  bucket.  The 
compassionate  neighbors  watched  every  movement 
with  agonizing  impatience.  Many  prayed  aloud. 


22  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

And  in  those  terrible  moments  of  consciousness 
which  now  and  then"  broke  in  upon  my  swoon,  for 
I  had  swooned  after  my  fall,  my  ear  caught  single 
words  of  hymns  and  prayers  for  the  dying,  which 
I  understood  too  well. 

At  length  all  was  ready ;  and  the  old  miner,  with 
a  light  attached  to  his  cap,  having  first  given  warn- 
ing that  perhaps  he  might  drag  me  down  with  him 
in  his  descent,  stepped  into  the  bucket.  Slowly 
and  cautiously  was  the  rope  unwound.  I  saw  the 
burning  light,  and  it  seemed  to  me  like  a  star  de- 
scending from  heaven  for  my  help.  Above  was 
the  silence  of  death.  Without  knowing  what  I 
did,  I  shrank  up  as  close  as  possible  to  the  damp 
wall.  The  movement  loosened  a  bit  of  stone,  and 
I  heard  the  reverberation  of  its  fall  in  the  depth 
below.  My  groans  indicated  the  place  where  I 
hung.  The  old  man  now  began  to  comfort  me, 
saying  that  I  must  keep  up  a  good  heart,  for  he 
hoped  that,  with  God's  help,  he  should  deliver  me. 

Now  I  saw  the  bucket  hovering  far  over  my 
head;  then  nearer  and  nearer;  but  the  opening 
was  so  narrow  that  it  could  not  pass  by  me.  My 
deliverer,  therefore,  gave  a  sign  for  those  at  the  top 
to  stop  unwinding.  He  then  reached  down  to  me 
a  cord  with  a  noose  tied  to  it.  I  seized  hold  of 
this,  and,  by  raising  myself  a  little,  grasped  the 
edge  of  the  bucket,  first  by  one,  and  then  by  both 
hands.  At  this  instant  the  frail  threads,  which 
had  thus  far  sustained  me,  gave  way.  The  bucket 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  23 

swayed  with  my  weight,  but  I  was  already  grasped 
by  my  old  friend.  He  drew  me  into  the  bucket, 
and  called  aloud : 

"  Thank  God,  there  above ;  I  have  the  child ;  I 
have  the  child!" 

As  I  sat  in  the  miner's  lap  and  felt  myself  safe, 
tho  first  thing  that  came  into  my  head  was  the 
pitcher,  which,  in  my  fall,  had  slipped  from  my 
hand.  I  began  to  weep  bitterly. 

"  Why  do  you  weep,  my  boy  ?"  said  the  old  man  j 
"  the  danger  is  all  over;  we  are  just  at  the  top." 

"Ah,  the  pitcher,  the  pitcher!"  I  sobbed  out. 
"  It  was  bran  new,  and  the  very  best  we  had !" 

We  were  at  the  brink  of  the  chasm.  My  mother 
leaned  over  it,  reaching  toward  me  with  yearning 
arms.  The  old  miner  lifted  me  out  to  her.  With 
trembling  hands  she  caught  me  and  drew  me  to  her 
bosom.  All  the  bystanders  shouted  for  joy.  They 
crowded  around,  and  each  one  wished  to  embrace 
me ;  but  my  mother  trusted  me  not  out  of  her  arms. 
The  dear,  good  mother !  She  had  always  loved  me 
dearly ;  but  from  that  time  I  was  the  apple  of  her 
eye. 

I  have  heard  my  mother  more  than  once  relate 
that  when  she  heard  the  words  of  the  miner — 
"  Thank  God,  there  above ;  I  have  the  child" — a 
thrill  of  horror  ran  through  her  heart.  Then  it 
seemed  to  her  impossible  that  it  could  be  true ;  j?he 
fell  with  her  face  to  the  ground,  and  could  only 
weep.  But  when  the  light  reappeared,  and  by  its 


24  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

weak  rays  she  could  discern  her  child,  and  see  that 
he  was  alive,  heaven  seemed  to  open  to  her  in  all 
its  glory.  Never  did  she  forget  the  blessed  moment. 
My  mother  was  a  very  pious  woman ;  and  was,  on 
this  account,  held  in  great  esteem  by  all  who  knew 
her.  God  laid  many  trials  upon  her,  but  I  never  saw 
her  faint-hearted,  never  heard  her  murmur.  In  all 
her  sorrows  she  acknowledged  the  fatherly  love  of 
God.  But  she  often  told  her  children  that  it  was 
in  that  day  of  agony,  when  I  was  lost  and  again 
restored,  that  she  was  first  fully  established  in  her 
faith,  and  knew  what  it  was  to  trust  in  the  good- 
ness of  God. 


REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCE. 

ABOUT  Christmas,  in  the  year  1840,  a  Russian 
clergyman  was  going  home  from  a  place  at  some 
distance  from  the  village  where  he  lived.  Evening 
was  coming  on,  and  it  was  growing  so  bitterly  cold 
that  it  was  almost  dangerous  for  any  one  to  be  out. 
He  was  wrapped  in  a  fur  cloak,  and  travelled  in  a 
sledge,  which  went  fast  over  the  hard,  smooth  snow. 
As  he  went  along  he  saw  something  lying  on  the 
ground,  and  stopped  to  see  what  it  was.  He  found 
that  it  was  a  soldier,  who  seemed  to  have  fallen 
down  exhausted  with  the  cold,  and  to  all  appear- 
ance was  dead.  The  good  clergyman,  however, 
\vould  not  leave  him  on  the  road,  but  lifted  him 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  25 

into  the  sledge,  with  his  gun,  which  lay  beside  him, 
and  drove  as  fast  as  he  could  to  the  next  inn,  which 
it  took  about  half  an  hour  to  reach.  He  was  not 
.satisfied  with  leaving  the  poor  soldier  in  the  care 
of  the  people  there;  but,  although  he  was  very 
anxious  to  reach  his  home,  he  stayed  for  an  hour 
directing  and  helping  them  to  do  all  that  was  pos- 
sible in  order  to  bring  the  man  to  conscious  life 
again  in  case  he  was  not  really  dead.  And  at 
length  their  endeavors  were  successful,  and  his 
senses  and  the  use  of  his  limbs  gradually  returned. 
Then  the  clergyman  set  off  homeward,  having  first 
rewarded  the  people  of  the  inn,  and  also  given  them 
money  to  pay  for  a  good  meal  for  the  poor  man, 
before  he  should  go  forward  on  his  journey.  As 
soon  as  the  man  was  refreshed  and  felt  able  to  go, 
he  insisted  upon  doing  so,  although  the  people  did 
all  they  could  to  persuade  him  not  to  venture  out 
again  that  night. 

But  he  said  that  he  was  carrying  letters  which 
\\civ  important,  and  he  must  not  delay  any  longer 
than  was  quite  necessary.  So,  taking  his  gun,  he 
proceeded  on  his  way,  which  he  found  would  very 
soon  bring  him  to  the  village  where  the  clergyman 
lived  to  whom  he  owed  his  life.  He  reached  the 
place  before  long,  and,  though  it  was  now  very  late 
at  night,  he  could  not  forbear  going  to  the  clergy- 
man's house,  that  he  might,  if  possible,  see  and 
thank  him  for  what  he  had  done. 

As  he  went  up  to  the  house,  he  saw  that,  though 
3 


26  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

it  was  late,  there  was  still  a  light  in  it ;  and  as  he 
came  nearer,  he  heard  loud  voices  and  great  confu- 
sion within.  He  hastened  to  the  door,  but  it  was 
fastened ;  and  without  waiting  to  knock,  he  ran  to 
the  window  close  by,  and,  looking  in,  saw  the  clergy- 
man surrounded  by  four  armed  robbers.  They  had 
just  tied  his  hands  and  feet,  and  were  threatening 
to  murder  him  if  he  would  not  tell  where  his  money 
was  to  be  found.  The  soldier  instantly  forced  his 
way  in,  fired  his  gun  at  one  of  the  robbers,  and 
killed  him  on  the  spot.  The  others  attacked  the 
soldier,  but  he  disabled  one  with  his  bayonet,  and 
the  other  two  were  then  seized  with  fear,  and 
rushed  out  of  the  house,  leaving  the  clergyman,  as 
may  be  supposed,  overpowered  by  astonishment 
and  gratitude  for  his  sudden  deliverance.  And 
then  his  still  deeper  and  happier  feelings  may  be 
imagined  when  he  found  that  the  poor  man,  whose 
life  he  had  saved  only  a  few  hours  before,  had  now 
been  made  the  means  of  preserving  his  own. 


CAPTAIN  H.  and  crew  sailed  some  time  since  from 

the  port  of .     After  having  been  at  sea  for 

several  days,  they  were  assailed  by  an  unusually 
severe  storm,  which  continued  forty-five  days  and 
nights  in  succession.  They  were  driven  far  from 
their  course  by  the  violence  of  the  wind.  Nature 
had  become  nearly  exhausted  by  hard  and  long 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  27 

toiling;  and,  to  add  to  their  affliction,  famine  began 
to  threaten  them  with  a  death  far  more  appalling 
than  that  of  a  watery  grave. 

The  captain  had  with  him  his  wife,  two  daugh- 
ters, and  ten  persons  besides.  As  their  provisions 
grew  short,  his  wife  became  provident  and  careful 
of  the  pittance  that  fell  to  their  family  share.  She 
would  eat  but  little,  lest  her  husband  should  starve. 
The  children  would  eat  but  little,  for  fear  the  mother 
would  suffer,  and  the  captain  refused  to  eat  any, 
but  left  his  portion  for  his  suffering  family.  At 
length  they  were  reduced  to  a  scanty  allowance  for 
twenty-four  hours  in  the  midst  of  a  storm,  and  one 
thousand  miles  from  land.  Captain  H.  was  a  man 
who  feared  God.  In  this  his  extremity  he  ordered 
his  steward  to  bring  the  remaining  provision  on 
deck,  and  spread  the  same  on  the  tarpauling  which 
covers  the  hatch,  and  falling  down  beside  the  frag- 
ments of  bread  and  meat  before  him,  he  lifted  up 
his  voice  in  prayer  to  Him  who  heareth  out  of  the 
deep,  and  said,  "  0,  thou  who  didst  feed  Elijah  by 
a  raven  while  in  the  wilderness,  and  who  com- 
manded that  the  widow's  cruse  of  oil  and  barrel  of 
meal  should  not  fail,  look  down  upon  us  in  our  pre- 
sent distress,  and  grant  that  this  food  may  be  so 
multiplied  that  the  lives  now  in  jeopardy  may  be 
preserved."  After  this  he  arose  from  his  knees, 
went  to  the  companion-way,  and  found  his  wife  and 
children  engaged  in  the  same  holy  exercise.  He 
exhorted  them  to  pray  on,  and  assured  them  that 


28  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

God  had  answered  his  prayer,  and  that  not  ono 
soul  then  on  board  should  perish.  Scarcely  had  he 
uttered  these  words,  when  his  mate,  who  had  been 
at  the  mast-head  for  some  time  on  the  look-out, 
exclaimed,  "  Sail  0 !  sail  0 !"  At  this  crisis  the 
captain  shouted  with  swelling  gratitude,  "  What, 
has  God  sent  the  ravens  already!" — and  in  one 
hour  from  that  time,  through  the  friendly  sail, 
barrels  of  bread  and  meat  were  placed  upon  the 
deck. 

"  Thus  one  thing  secures  us,  whatever  betide  ; 
The  Scripture  assures  us  the  Lord  will  provide." 


WHO  CAN  TELL? 

"  I  HAVE  heard,"  says  Mr.  Daniel  Wilson,  in  a 
sermon  of  his,  "of  a  certain  person,  whose  name  I 
could  mention,  who  was  tempted  to  conclude  his 
day  over,  and  himself  lost;  that,  therefore,  it  was 
his  best  course  to  put  an  end  to  his  life,  which,  if 
continued,  would  but  serve  to  increase  his  sin,  and 
consequently  his  misery,  from  which  there  was  no 
escape ;  and  seeing  he  must  be  in  hell,  the  sooner 
he  was  there  the  sooner  he  should  know  the  worst ; 
which  was  preferable  to  his  being  worn  away  with 
the  tormenting  expectation  of  what  \vas  to  come. 
Under  the  influence  of  such  suggestions  as  these, 
ho  went  to  a  river,  with  a  design  to  throw  himself 
in ;  but  as  he  was  about  to  do  it,  he  seemed  to  hear 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  29 

a  voice  saying  to  him,  Who  can  tell  ?  as  if  the  words 
had  been  audibly  delivered.  By  this,  therefore,  he 
was  brought  to  a  stand ;  his  thoughts  were  arrested, 
and  thus  began  to  work  on  the  passage  mentioned : 
Who  can  tell  (Jonah  iii.  9,)  viz.,  what  God  can  do 
when  he  will  proclaim  his  grace  glorious?  Who 
can  tell  but  such  an  one  as  I  may  find  mercy  ?  or 
what  will  be  the  issue  of  humble  prayer  to  heaven 
for  it  ?  Who  can  tell  what  purposes  God  will  serve 
in  my  recovery  ?  By  such  thoughts  as  these,  being 
so  far  influenced  as  to  resolve  to  try,  it  pleased  God 
graciously  to  enable  him,  through  all  his  doubts  and 
fears,  to  throw  himself  by  faith  on  Jesus  Christ,  as 
able  to  save  to  the  uttermost  all  that  come  to  God 
by  him,  humbly  desiring  and  expecting  mercy  for 
his  sake,  to  his  own  soul.  In  this  he  was  not 
disappointed;  but  afterwards  became  an  eminent 
Christian  and  minister;  and  from  his  own  expe- 
rience of  the  riches  of  grace,  was  greatly  useful  to 
the  conversion  and  comfort  of  others." 


THE  MARTYR  SAVED. 

IT  is  related,  in  the  memoirs  of  the  celebrated 
William  Winston,  that  a  Protestant,  in  the  days  of 
Queen  Mary,  of  the  name  of  Barber,  was  sentenced 
to  be  burned.  He  walked  to  Smithfield,  was  bound 
to  the  stake,  the  fagots  were  piled  around  him.  and 
the  executioner  only  waited  the  word  of  command 

3* 


30  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

to  apply  the  torch.  At  this  crisis,  tidings  came  of 
the  queen's  death;  the  officers  were  compelled  to 
stay  proceedings  till  the  pleasure  of  Elizabeth 
should  be  known;  and  thus  the  life  of  the  good 
man  was  spared,  to  labor,  with  some  of  his  descend- 
ants, successfully  in  the  service  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
and  his  church. 


WONDERFUL  DELIVERANCE  OF  PETER  THE 
GREAT. 

ALEXANDER  MENZIKOFF,  who  rose  to  the  highest 
offices  of  state  in  Russia,  during  the  reign  of  Peter 
the  Great,  was  born  of  parents  so  excessively  poor, 
that  they  could  not  afford  to  have  him  taught  to 
read  and  write.  After  their  death,  he  went  to 
Moscow  to  seek  for  employment,  where  he  found 
an  asylum  with  a  pastry  cook.  He  had  a  very  fine 
voice,  and  soon  became  known  through  that  great 
city  by  the  musical  tone  of  his  cry  when  vending 
his  master's  pastry  in  the  streets.  His  voice  also 
gained  him  admission  into  the  houses  of  many 
noblemen;  and  he  was  fortunate  enough  one  day 
to  be  in  the  kitchen  of  a  great  lord  with  whom  the 
emperor  was  to  dine.  While  Menzikoff  was  there, 
the  nobleman  came  into  the  kitchen,  and  gave 
directions  about  a  particular  dish,  to  which  he  said 
the  emperor  was  very  partial;  into  this  dish  he 
dropped  (as  he  thought  unperceived)  a  powder. 
Menzikoff  observed  it,  but  taking  no  notice,  imme- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  31 

diately  left ;  and  when  he  saw  the  emperor's  car- 
riage coming,  he  began  to  sing  very  loud.  Peter, 
attracted  by  his  voice,  called  him,  and  bought  all 
the  pies  he  had  in  his  basket.  He  asked  some 
questions  of  Menzikoff,  and  was  so  much  pleased 
with  his  answers  that  he  commanded  him  to  follow 
him  to  the  nobleman's  house,  and  wait  behind  his 
chair.  The  servants  were  surprised  at  his  order, 
but  it  proved  of  the  greatest  importance  to  Peter ; 
for  when  the  nobleman  pressed  his  royal  guest  to 
take  of  this  favorite  dish,  his  new  servant  gently 
pulled  him  by  the  sleeve,  and  begged  he  would  not 
touch  it  until  he  had  spoken  to  him.  The  emperor 
immediately  withdrew  with  Menzikoff,  who  in- 
formed his  imperial  master  of  his  suspicions.  The 
czar  returned  to  his  company,  and,  suddenly  turn- 
ing to  his  host,  pressed  him  to  partake  of  the 
favorite  dish.  Terrified  at  this  command,  he  said, 
'•'It  did  not  become  the  servant  to  eat  before  his 
master."  It  was  then  given  to  a  dog,  who  shortly 
after  expired  in  great  pain.  The  nobleman's  exe- 
cution and  Menzikoff  s  elevation  complete  the 
story. 


PROVIDENTIAL  RESCUE  OF  SEVEN  PERSONS  FROM 
A  WHALE-BOAT  IN  THE  NORTH  PACIFIC. 

AT  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1850,  one  of  the  hands  of  the  schooner  Wan- 
derer (Royal  Yacht  Squadron),  on  her  passage  from 


32  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

the  Society  Islands  to  the  Hawaiian,  reported  what 
appeared  to  him  to  be  a  boat ;  but  this  was  for  some 
time  considered  to  be  impossible,  as  no  boat,  it  was 
thought,  could  have  lived  in  such  a  sea — the  Wan- 
derer herself  being  under  storm  canvas,  it  blowing 
a  severe  gale.  A  man  having  been,  however,  sent 
aloft  with  a  glass,  it  proved  to  be  a  whale-boat, 
about  three  miles  to  the  windward,  with  signal  of 
distress  flying ;  the  schooner  then  beat  up  to  her 
near  enough  to  hail ;  but  at  first  the  only  intelli- 
gible word  that  could  be  heard  was  "water !  water !" 
Her  canvas  was  blown  away,  and  her  rudder  gone ; 
and  having  no  steering  oar  she  was  unmanageable. 
After  three  attempts,  the  Wanderer  succeeded  in 
passing  sufficiently  near  to  heave  the  end  of  a 
whale-line  to  the  boat.  A  running  bowline  was 
then  passed  to  them,  by  which  means  one  after 
another  of  the  people  were  hauled  on  board  the 
schooner  over  the  taffrail.  The  party  consisted  of 
Jose  Davis,  a  Brazilian  man  of  color,  two  men  and 
three  women,  natives  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  one 
of  the  latter  being  the  wife  of  Davis.  It  appeared 
that  they  had  left  the  island  of  Molokai,  where 
they  had  called  on  their  passage  from  Oahu  to 
Maui,  and  had  nearly  reached  the  latter  island, 
where  they  resided ;  but  being  caught  in  a  heavy 
gale,  and  their  boat  disabled,  had  driven  three 
hundred  miles  to  the  southward.  They  had  been 
nine  days  without  water — subsisting  entirely  by 
sucking  small  pieces  of  pumpkins,  a  few  of  which 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  33 

they  had  on  board,  and  which  Davis  doled  out  to 
them  sparingly ;  as  he  said  he  had  determined,  if 
the  boat  survived  the  gale,  to  have  made  sails  out 
of  the  women's  dresses,  and  endeavored  to  rig  a 
new  rudder,  and  steer  by  a  particular  star  of  his 
acquaintance,  which  would  bring  him  to  the  coast 
of  South  America ;  how  this  was  to  be  accomplished 
in  the  teeth  of  the  strong  easterly  trades,  was  above, 
rather,  the  range  of  Davis's  philosophy.  The  poor 
creatures  were  so  exhausted  from  cold  arid  continued 
bailing  (the  garboard  streak  of  the  boat  having 
started),  that  it  was  some  time  before  hot  tea, 
mixed  with  a  little  spirits,  revived  them,  and  ena- 
bled them  to  give  a  distinct  account  of  their  mis- 
fortunes. 

For  some  time  an  endeavor  was  made  to  get 
some  of  their  goods  out  of  the  boat,  for  their  worldly 
all  was  on  board  of  her,  consisting  of  clothes, 
squashes,  and  about  $100 ;  but  by  this  time  the 
water  had  gained  so  much  upon  her,  that  she  gave 
one  heavy  roll,  carrying  away  the  mast  to  which  the 
warp  was  attached,  and  when  the  Wanderer  left 
her  si  10  was  evidently  settling.  Poor  Jose,  whose 
hair  was  nearly  white  with  the  snows  of  some  sixty 
winters,  took  his  last  fond  look ;  a  tear  came  trick- 
ling down  his  wrinkled  cheek ;  he  drew  a  deep  sigh 
and  exclaimed  :  "  There  goes  my  all ;  I  am  again  a 
beggar ;"  and,  taking  his  wife  around  the  neck, 
kissed  her,  and  said:  "Thank  God,  however,  we 
are  safe,  and  will  see  our  boys  again."  Jose  proved 


34  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

himself  quite  a  character.  It  was  evident  that  it 
was  not  the  first  time  that  he  had  been  in  a  long- 
keeled  craft,  as  he  called  her.  He  surveyed  her 
with  the  eye  of  a  master  spirit ;  and,  when  he  saw 
long  Tom  and  other  guns,  he  said,  with  a  knowing 
expression :  "  They  know  nothing  of  the  old  trade 
here ;  but  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  do  well  dodging 
off  San  Francisco ;"  evidently  considering  that  the 
schooner  was  bent  on  no  very  honest  calling.  He 
and  his  party  remained  with  us  during  our  stay  at 
Hawaii,  where  he  formerly  lived  for  seventeen 
years.  We  found  he  was  universally  respected  by 
the  inhabitants,  who  desired  him  and  his  family  to 
come  again  and  reside  with  them ;  but  Jose,  having 
his  eldest  boy  at  one  of  those  excellent  schools 
founded  by  the  American  Missionaries  at  Maui, 
said  that  he  was  determined  his  children  should 
have  a  good  education,  and  declined  their  offer. 
When  the  Wanderer  called  at  Lahaina  to  land 
them,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  boat  and  party 
were  long  since  given  up  as  lost;  and  the  maternal 
uncle  of  the  children  had  taken  charge  of  them. 
Nothing  could  exceed  the  gratitude  of  the  poor 
people ;  and  old  Jose  presented  the  Wanderer  with 
a  fine  large  hog,  cocoanuts,  &c.,  for  which  he  would 
not  accept  of  any  payment;  the  affair  was  with 
difficulty  arranged  by  giving  some  calico  to  his  wife ; 
and  when  they  left  the  ship  they  carried  with  them 
the  kind  wishes  of  all  on  board. — Polynesian. 


SECTION   II. 

ife  JKwAb  ij  ftlnintcllipt  Agents. 


ALL  IS  FOR  THE  BEST. 

THAT  great  and  good  man,  Bernard  Gilpin,  whose 
pious  labors  in  the  north  of  England  procured  for 
him  the  title  of  "  The  Apostle  of  the  North,"  when 
exposed  to  losses  or  troubles,  was  accustomed  to 
say,  "  Ah,  well,  God's  will  be  done ;  it's  all  for  the 
best." 

Toward  the  close  of  Mary's  reign,  Mr.  Gilpin  was 
accused  of  heresy;  and  being  speedily  apprehended, 
he  left  his  happy  home,  "  nothing  doubting,"  as  he 
said,  "  that  it  was  all  for  the  best ;"  though  fully 
expecting,  when  he  bid  his  family  farewell,  that, 
instead  of  returning,  he  should  die  at  the  martyrs' 
stake. 

While  on  his  way  to  London,  by  some  accident 
he  broke  his  leg.  This,  for  a  time,  put  a  stop  to 
his  journey.  While  thus  detained,  some  malignant 
persons  took  occasion  to  retort  on  him  his  habitual 

(35) 


36  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

remark.  "  What,"  said  they,  "  is  this  all  for  the 
best  ?"  "  Sirs,  I  make  no  question  but  it  is,"  was 
his  meek  reply.  And  so  it  actually  proved;  for, 
before  he  was  able  to  travel,  Queen  Mary  died,  the 
persecution  ceased,  and  he  was  restored  to  liberty. 


SAVED  FROM  A  ROBBER  BY  RAIN. 

A  MERCHANT  was  one  day  returning  from  market. 
He  was  on  horseback,  and  behind  him  was  a  valise 
filled  with  money.  The  rain  fell  with  violence,  and 
the  good  old  man  was  wet  to  his  skin.  At  this  he 
was  vexed,  and  murmured  because  God  had  given 
him  such  bad  weather  for  his  journey. 

He  soon  reached  the  borders  of  a  thick  forest. 
What  was  his  terror  on  beholding  on  one  side  of 
the  road  a  robber,  with  levelled  gun,  aiming  at  him 
and  attempting  to  fire  !  But,  the  powder  being  wet 
by  the  rain,  the  gun  did  not  go  off,  and  the  merchant, 
giving  spurs  to  his  horse,  fortunately  had  time  to 
escape. 

As  soon  as  he  found  himself  safe,  he  said  to  him- 
self: "How  wrong  was  I,  not  to  endure  the  rain 
patiently,  as  sent  by  Providence !  If  the  weather 
had  been  dry  and  fair,  I  should  not,  probably,  have 
been  alive  at  this  hour,  and  my  little  children  would 
have  expected  my  return  in  vain.  The  rain  which 
caused  me  to  murmur,  came  at  a  fortunate  moment, 
to  save  my  life  and  preserve  my  property."  And 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  37 

thus  it  is  with  a  multitude  of  our  afflictions;  by 
causing  us  slight  and  short  sufferings,  they  preserve 
us  from  others  far  greater,  and  of  longer  duration. 


LIFE  SAVED  BY  A  TRACT. 

A  MINISTER  from  Exeter  stated  "that  not  far 
from  the  place  where  he  lived,  and  quite  in  the 
country,  there  were  two  young  ladies  residing,  and 
hoth  were  pious.  It  so  happened  that  a  poor  Ame- 
rican sailor,  having  taken  up  the  employment  of  a 
pedlar,  passed  that  way,  called  at  the  house  of  these 
young  ladies,  and  taking  his  box  of  small  wares 
from  his  shoulders,  requested  one  of  them  to  pur- 
rim  se  some  tracts.  She  replied,  that  there  was  a 
certain  tract  which  she  was  anxious  to  find,  and 
that  she  would  look  over  his  parcel,  and  if  it  con- 
tained the  one  referred  to,  she  would  take  it.  She 
did  so,  and  finding  the  tract  she  wanted,  paid  the 
man,  and  ordered  the  servants  to  provide  him  some 
refreshments,  and  went  in  haste  to  the  door  to  re- 
ceive a  friend  who  had  come  from  a  distance  to  visit 
her.  The  poor  man,  in  the  mean  time,  gathered 
up  his  scattered  wares,  proceeded  a  considerable 
distance  on  his  way,  and  having  reached  a  very 
retired  spot,  sat  down  by  the  side  of  the  road,  and 
taking  his  jack-knife  from  his  pocket,  began  to 
appease  his  hunger  with  the  food  so  kindly  pro- 
vided for  him.  It  so  happened  that  in  the  course 
4 


38  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

of  the  day  a  most  horrible  murder  and  robbery  had 
been  committed  near  this  spot,  and  officers  had  been 
despatched  to  seek  out  the  criminal  and  bring  him 
back  to  justice.  A  party  of  them  approached  this 
poor  sailor,  and  finding  him  employed  with  a  jack- 
knife  (the  very  instrument  with  which  the  murder 
was  supposed  to  have  been  perpetrated),  they  seized 
him  at  once  and  put  him  in  prison,  where  he  re- 
mained three  months  awaiting  his  trial.  During  the 
whole  period  of  his  confinement  he  was  employed 
in  reading  the  Bible  and  religious  books  to  his  fel- 
low-prisoners, and  was  so  exemplary  in  his  whole 
conduct  as  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  jailor, 
who  kindly  interested  himself  for  him,  listened  to 
his  tale  of  woe,  and  believed  him  innocent.  When 
the  trial  came  on  the  case  was  of  such  an  interest- 
ing nature  that  it  drew  together  a  vast  concourse 
of  people;  and  after  the  examination  had  been 
passed,  and  the  judge  had  called  for  the  verdict  of 
guilty  or  not  guilty,  a  voice  was  heard  to  issue  from 
the  crowd,  Not  guilty!  Every  eye  was  directed  to 
the  spot  from  whence  the  sound  proceeded ;  and 
immediately  a  young  lady  advanced,  with  a  paper 
in  her  hand,  and  appeared  before  the  judge.  Her 
feelings  at  first  overcame  her,  and  she  fainted ;  but 
recovering  herself,  and  being  encouraged  to  proceed, 
if  she  had  anything  to  say  in  defence  of  the  prisoner 
at  the  bar,  she  stated  to  the  judge  the  circumstances 
of  having  the  tract  of  the  poor  man,  presenting  it 
at  the  same  time,  bearing  the  date  of  the  day  and 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  39 

hour  when  it  was  purchased.  She  stated  further, 
that  just  as  the  man  was  about  leaving  her,  a  sister 
whom  she  had  not  seen  for  many  years  arrived  from 
a  distance,  and  as  she  was  anxious,  for  a  particular 
reason,  to  remember  the  day  and  hour  of  her  arrival, 
she  made  a  memorandum  of  it  upon  this  tract,  which 
she  happened  to  have  in  her  hand.  While  she  was 
making  this  statement  to  the  judge,  the  poor  pri- 
soner bent  forward  with  earnestness  to  discover  what 
gentle  voice  was  pleading  in  his  behalf;  for  he  had 
thought  himself  friendless  and  alone  in  the  world, 
and  was  comforted  that  any  one  should  take  a  part 
in  his  sorrows,  even  though  it  should  not  avail  to 
the  saving  of  his  life.  But  it  did  avail;  for  the 
hour  of  the  murder  having  been  ascertained,  and 
being  the  same  as  that  recorded  upon  the  tract,  it 
was  evident  the  prisoner  must  have  been  in  a  differ- 
ent place  at  the  time  it  was  committed.  He  was 
accordingly  discharged ;  and  in  a  moment  was  upon 
his  knees,  pouring  forth  the  grateful  feelings  of  his 
heart  to  his  kind  benefactress.  And  this,  said  the 
reverend  gentleman,  holding  up  a  tract,  is  the  very 
tract  which  saved  that  man's  life." 


DELIVERED  FROM  DEATH  BY  A  DOG. 

SIR  HARRY  LEE,  in  Ditchlong,  in  Oxfordshire, 
ancestor  of  the  lato  Earl  of  Litchfield,  had  a 
mastiff  which  guarded  the  house  and  yard,  but 


40  HEMAHKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

had  never  met  with  the  least  particular  attention 
from  his  master,  and  was  retained  for  his  utility 
only,  and  not  for  any  special  regard.  One  night 
as  his  master  was  retiring  to  his  chamber,  attended 
by  his  valet,  an  Italian,  the  mastiff  silently  fol- 
lowed him  up  stairs,  which  he  had  never  been 
known  to  do  before,  and,  to  his  master's  astonish- 
ment, presented  himself  in  his  bedroom.  Being 
deemed  an  intruder,  he  was  instantly  ordered  to  be 
turned  out;  which  being  complied  with,  the  poor 
animal  began  scratching  violently  at  the  door,  and 
howling  loudly  for  admission.  The  servant  was 
sent  to  drive  him  away.  Discouragement  could 
not  check  his  labor  of  love,  or  rather  providential 
impulse ;  he  returned  again,  and  was  more  impor- 
tunate than  before  to  be  let  in.  Sir  Harry,  weary 
of  opposition,  bade  the  servant  open  the  door,  that 
they  might  see  what  he  would  do.  This  done,  the 
mastiff,  with  a  wag  of  his  tail,  and  a  look  of  affec- 
tion at  his  lord,  deliberately  walked  up,  and  crawl- 
ing under  the  bed,  laid  himself  down  as  if  desirous 
of  taking  up  his  night's  lodging  there.  To  save 
farther  trouble,  but  not  from  any  partiality  for  his 
company,  the  indulgence  was  allowed.  About  the 
hour  of  midnight  the  chamber  door  opened,  and  a 
person  was  heard  stepping  across  the  room.  Sir 
Harry  started  from  his  sleep ;  the  dog  sprung  from 
his  covert,  and,  seizing  the  unwelcome  disturber, 
fixed  him  to  the  spot !  All  was  dark,  and  Sir 
Harry  rung  his  bell  in  great  trepidation,  in  order 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  41 

to  procure  a  light.  The  person  who  was  pinned  to 
the  floor  by  the  courageous  mastiff  roared  for  assist- 
ance. It  was  found  to  be  the  valet,  who  little 
expected  such  a  reception.  He  endeavored  to  apo- 
logize for  his  intrusion,  and  to  make  the  reasons 
which  induced  him  to  take  the  step  appear  plausi- 
ble ;  but  the  importunity  of  the  dog,  the  time,  the 
place,  and  the  manner  of  the  valet,  all  raised  sus- 
picion in  Sir  Harry's  mind,  and  he  determined  to 
refer  the  investigation  of  the  business  to  a  magis- 
trate. The  perfidious  Italian,  alternately  terrified 
by  the  dread  of  punishment,  and  soothed  with  the 
hope  of  pardon,  at  length  confessed  that  it  was  his 
intention  to  murder  his  master,  and  then  rob  the 
house.  This  diabolical  design  was  frustrated  only 
by  the  dog,  who  had  perhaps  providentially  over- 
heard some  expressions  in  soliloquy  or  conversa- 
tion, from  the  valet,  respecting  his  contemplated 
crime. 


THE  FALLEN  TREE. 

ABOUT  the  year  1830,  while  a  young  man  of  the 
town  of  Wells,  Maine,  was  at  work  in  the  woods 
alone,  he  felled  a  tree  which  struck  a  large  iog, 
lying  up  some  distance  from  the  ground.  When 
the  tree  struck  the  log,  the  butt  bounded,  struck 
the  man,  carried  him  some  distance,  plunged  him 
into  a  deep  snow,  and  fell  across  his  stomach,  con- 

4* 


42  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

fining  him  there.  The  log  across  which  the  tree 
fell,  served  as  a  fulcrum,  being  so  near  the  middle 
of  the  tree  as  to  prevent  it  from  lying  so  heavily 
upon  him  as  to  give  much  immediate  distress.  His 
feet  were  so  completely  confined  that  he  had  no 
power  to  move  them;  his  hands  being  the  only 
means  with  which  he  could  do  the  least  towards 
extricating  himself,  which  he  used  in  the  best  pos- 
sible manner  he  was  capable  of;  but  he  was  utterly 
unsuccessful  in  his  efforts  to  raise  the  body  of  the 
tree,  or  beating  away  the  snow.  Now  feeling  in 
some  degree  that  all  hopes  of  being  delivered  from 
that  state  of  confinement  also  were  vain,  he  cast 
his  eyes  toward  heaven,  when  he  saw  a  large  limb, 
which  had  broken  from  the  tree  while  falling,  sus- 
pended in  the  air  by  the  branch  of  another  tree, 
and  at  the  distance  of  thirty  or  forty  feet  above 
him,  apparently  directly  over  his  head.  What  must 
have  been  his  feelings  while  thus  confined,  and 
viewing  that  threatening  death  hanging  directly 
over  him,  and  expecting  every  moment  it  would 
fall  and  terminate  his  existence  ? 

While  he  thus  lay,  with  his  eyes  fastened  upon 
the  limb,  waiting  for  the  result  he  thought  must 
soon  take  place,  the  twig  by  which  it  was  sus- 
pended gave  way — the  limb  fell  and  struck  the 
snow  about  one  foot  from  his  head.  He  imme- 
diately thought  to  use  that  as  a  lever,  by  which  to 
raise  the  tree.  He  proved  successful. 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  43 


SINGULAR  PRESERVATION— GREENLANDERS. 

THE  United  Brethren  relate  the  following  account 
of  two  converted  pagans  in  Greenland,  who,  in  their 
heathen  state,  gave  them  much  trouble  by  their 
wild  dances  and  outrageous  behavior. 

On  July  4th,  1827,  the  assistant  Nathaniel  arrived 
here  with  his  family.  He  immediately  called  upon 
us  both  to  make  a  report  of  his  success  in  the  seal 
fishery,  and  of  the  remarkable  preservation  of  his 
life ;  the  narrative  of  which  might  almost  appear 
fabulous,  had  he  not  related  it  himself;  and  he  is  a 
man  of  unimpeached  veracity.  First,  he  exclaimed : 
"  I  have  now  experienced  what  it  is  to  be  near 
death ;"  and  then  related  the  following  adventure  : 

Being  in  company  with  another  brother,  who 
was  yet  inexperienced  in  the  management  of  a 
kayak,  he  met  a  neitsersoak,  the  largest  kind  of 
seal,  which  he  killed.  He  then  discovered  his 
companion  on  a  flake  of  ice,  endeavoring  to  kill 
another  of  the  same  species,  and  in  danger.  He 
therefore  left  his  dead  seal,  kept  buoyant  by  the 
bladder,  and  hastened  to  help  his  brother.  They 
succeeded  in  killing  the  seal ;  but  suddenly  a  strong 
north  wind  arose,  and  carried  off  both  the  kayaks 
to  sea.  They  now  with  terror  beheld  themselves 
left  on  a  small  flake  of  ice,  far  from  the  land,  driv- 
ing about  in  the  open  sea  ;  nor  could  they  discover 
any  kayaks  in  the  neighborhood.  They  cried  aloud 


44  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

for  help,  but  in  vain.  Meanwhile,  the  wind  rose 
in  strength,  and  carried  both  the  kayaks,  and  also 
the  piece  of  ice,  swiftly  along  with  the  waves. 
Having  lost  sight  of  the  former,  they  now  saw 
themselves  without  the  least  hope  of  deliverance. 
Nathaniel  added :  "  I  continued  praying  to  my  Sa- 
viour, and  thought  with  great  grief  of  the  situation 
of  my  poor  family ;  but  felt  a  small  degree  of  hope 
arising  in  my  breast."  Unexpectedly,  he  saw  his 
dead  seal  floating  towards  him,  and  was  exceedingly 
surprised  to  see  it  approaching  against  the  wind, 
till  it  came  so  near  the  flake  of  ice  that  they  could 
secure  it.  But  how  should  a  dead  seal  become  the 
means  of  their  deliverance  ?  And  what  was  now 
to  be  done  ?  All  at  once,  Nathaniel  resolved,  at  a 
venture,  to  seat  himself  upon  the  floating  seal,  and, 
by  the  help  of  his  paddle,  which  he  had  kept  in  his 
hand  when  he  joined  his  companion  on  the  ice,  to 
go  in  quest  of  the  kayaks.  Though  the  sea  and 
waves  continually  overflowed  him,  yet  the  body  of 
the  seal  being  sufficiently  buoyant  to  bear  his 
weight,  he  kept  his  seat,  made  after  the  kayaks, 
and  succeeded  in  overtaking  his  own,  into  which  he 
crept,  and  went  in  quest  of  that  of  his  companion, 
which  he  likewise  found.  He  also  kept  possession 
of  the  seal;  and  now  hastened  in  search  of  the 
flake  of  ice,  on  which  his  companion  was  most 
anxiously  looking  out  for  him.  Having  reached  it, 
he  brought  him  his  kayak,  and  enabled  him  to 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  45 

secure  the  other  seal,  when  both  returned  home  in 
•safety. 

We  were  thankful  that  Nathaniel  had  received 
no  harm  from  so  dangerous  an  adventure.  During 
this  affecting  narrative,  he  ascribed  his  preservation, 
not  to  his  own  clever  contrivance,  but  to  the  mercy 
of  God  alone ;  and  added  :  "  When  I  found  myself 
delivered  from  death,  and  sat  again  in  my  kayak,  I 
shed  abundance  of  tears  of  gratitude  to  our  Saviour ; 
for  in  my  greatest  distress  my  only  hope  was  placed 
on  him.  I  ascribe  to  him  alone  my  deliverance !" 
We  could  not  refrain  from  tears  on  hearing  the 
undisguised  and  simple  account  he  gave  of  this 
event ;  and  joined  in  his  thanksgiving  to  the  Lord, 
who  has  thousands  of  means  at  his  command  of 
Diving  them  who  call  upon  him  in  trouble. 


A  REMARKABLE  DELIVERANCE. 

IN  1C 72,  the  Datch  were  saved  by  an  extraordi- 
nary event,  at  a  time  when  nothing  but  the  inter- 
position of  Providence  could  have  preserved  them. 
In  that  memorable  year,  when  Louis  XIV.  came 
down  upon  that  country  like  a  flood,  he  proposed 
that  at  the  same  time  he  should  enter  the  province 
of  Holland  by  land,  his  fleet,  in  conjunction  with 
that  of  Great  Britain,  should  make  a  descent  on 
the  side  of  the  Hague  by  sea.  When  the  united 


46  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

fleets  came  up  within  sight  of  Scheveling,  the  tide, 
though  very  regular  at  other  times,  jus.t  when  they 
were  preparing  to  land,  changed  its  usual  course, 
and  stopped  for  several  hours.  The  next  morning 
the  French  and  English  fleets  were  dispersed  by  a 
violent  storm. 

Those  who  hate  the  very  name  of  a  miracle 
(although  in  reality  they  suppose  the  greatest  of 
all  miracles,  that  is,  the  tying  up  the  hands  of  the 
Almighty  from  disposing  events  according  to  his 
will),  pretend,  "This  was  only  an  extraordinary 
ebb."  But  this  very  ebb  was  an  extraordinary 
providence,  as  the  descent,  which  must  have  termi- 
nated in  the  destruction  of  the  republic,  was  to  be 
punctually  at  that  and  no  other  time.  But  that 
this  retrogradation  of  the  sea  was  no  natural  event, 
is  as  certain  as  anything  in  nature. 

Many  writers  of  unquestionable  veracity  might 
be  produced  to  confirm  the  truth  of  the  fact.  I  shall 
only  cite  one,  who  was  at  the  Hague  but  three  years 
after  it  happened.  "  An  extraordinary  thing  lately 
happened  at  the  Hague :  I  had  it  from  many  eye- 
witnesses. The  English  fleet  appeared  in  sight  of 
Scheveling,  making  up  to  the  shore.  The  tide 
turned :  but  they  made  no  doubt  of  landing  the 
forces  the  next  flood,  where  thev  were  like  to 

•/ 

meet  no  resistance.  The  states  sent  to  the  prince 
for  men  to  hinder  the  descent,  but  he  could  spare 
few,  having  the  French  near  him.  So  the  country 
was  given  up  for  lost ;  their  admiral,  De  Ruy ter, 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  47 

with  their  fleet  being  absent.  The  flood  returned, 
which  the  people  expected  would  end  in  their  ruin ; 
but,  to  the  .amazement  of  them  all,  after  the  sea 
had  flowed  two  or  three  hours,  an  ebb  of  many 
hours  succeeded,  which  carried  the  fleet  again  to 
sea.  And  before  the  flood  returned,  De  Ruyter 
came  in  view.  This  they  esteemed  no  less  than  a 
miracle  wrought  for  their  preservation." — Bishop 
Burnefs  History  of  his  own  Times.  Book  II. 


SECTION   III. 

fife  Ijrtsuto  %  UJtntal  Impressions,  grcains, 


REMARKABLE  DELIVERANCE  OF  THE  REV.  R. 
BOARDMAN. 

"  I  PREACHED  one  evening  at  Mould,  in  Flintshire, 
and  next  morning  set  out  for  Parkgatc.  After 
riding  some  miles,  I  asked  a  man  if  I  was  on  the 
road  to  that  place.  He  answered,  '  Yes ;  but  you 
will  have  some  sands  to  go  over,  and  unless  you  ride 
fast  you  will  be  in  danger  of  being  enclosed  by  the 
tide.'  It  then  began  to  snow  to  such  a  degree  that 
I  could  scarcely  see  a  step  of  my  way.  I  got  to  the 
sands,  and  pursued  my  journey  over  them  for  some- 
time as  rapidly  as  I  could ;  but  the  tide  then  came 
in,  and  surrounded  me  on  every  side,  so  that  I  could 
neither  proceed  nor  turn  back,  and  to  ascend  the 
perpendicular  rocks  was  impossible.  In  this  situa- 
tion I  commended  my  soul  to  God,  not  having  the 
least  expectation  of  escaping  death.  In  a  little  time 
I  perceived  two  men  running  down  a  hill  on  the 

(48) 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  49 

other  side  of  the  water,  and  by  some  means  they 
got  into  a  bout,  and  came  to  my  relief,  just  as  the 
sea  had  reached  my  knees,  as  I  sat  on  my  saddle. 
They  took  me  into  the  boat,  the  mare  swimming 
by  our  side  till  we  reached  the  land.  While  we 
were  in  the  boat,  one  of  the  men  said,  '  Surely,  sir, 
God  is  with  you.'  I  answered, '  I  trust  he  is.'  The 
man  replied,  'I  know  he  is;'  and  then  related  the 
following  circumstance  :  '  Last  night  I  dreamed  that 
I  must  go  to  the  top  of  such  a  hill.  When  I  awoke 
the  dream  made  such  an  impression  on  my  mind 
that  I  could  not  rest.  I  therefore  went  and  called 
on  this  man  to  accompany  me.  When  we  came  to 
the  place  wre  saw  nothing  more  than  usual.  How- 
ever, I  begged  him  to  go  with  me  to  another  at  a 
small  distance,  and  there  we  saw  your  distressed 
situation.'  When  we  got  ashore  I  went  with  my 
two  friends  to  a  public-house  not  far  distant  from 
where  we  landed ;  and  as  we  were  relating  the 
wonderful  providence,  the  landlady  said,  '  This  day 
month  we  saw  a  gentleman  just  in  your  situation ; 
but  before  we  could  hasten  to  his  relief  he  plunged 
into  the  sea,  supposing,  as  we  concluded,  that  his 
horse  could  swim  to  the  shore ;  but  they  both  sank, 
and  were  drowned  together.'  I  gave  my  deliverers 
all  the  money  I  had,  which  I  think  was  about 
eighteen  pence,  and  tarried  all  night  at  the  hotel. 
Next  morning  I  was  not  a  little  embarrassed  how 
to  pay  my  reckoning,  for  the  want  of  cash,  and  I 
begged  my  landlord  would  keep  a  pair  of  silver 


50  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

spurs  till  I  should  redeem  them ;  but  he  answered, 
'  The  Lord  bless  you,  sir,  I  would  not  take  a  farthing 
from  you  for  the  world.'  After  some  serious  con- 
versation with  the  friendly  people,  I  bade  them  fare- 
well, and  recommenced  my  journey,  rejoicing  in  the 
Lord,  and  praising  him  for  his  great  salvation." 


ESCAPE  OF  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

MAJOR  FERGUSON,  who  commanded-  a  rifle  corps 
in  advance  of  the  hussars  under  Kniphausen,  during 
some  skirmishing  a  day  or  two  previous  to  the  battle 
of  Brandywine,  was  the  hero  of  a  very  singular  inci- 
dent, which  he  thus  relates  in  a  letter  to  a  friend. 
It  illustrates,  in  a  most  forcible  manner,  the  over- 
ruling hand  of  Providence  in  directing  the  opera- 
tions of  a  man's  mind,  in  moments  when  he  is  least 
of  all  aware  of  it. 

"  We  had  not  lain  long,  when  a  rebel  officer, 
remarkable  by  a  hussar  dress,  pressed  towards  our 
army,  within  a  hundred  yards  of  my  right  flank, 
not  perceiving  us.  He  was  followed  by  another, 
dressed  in  dark  green  and  blue,  mounted  on  a  bay 
horse,  with  a  remarkably  high  cocked  hat.  I 
ordered  three  good  shots  to  steal  near  to  them,  and 
fire  at  them ;  but  the  idea  disgusting  me,  I  recalled 
the  order.  The  hussar,  in  returning,  made  a  cir- 
cuit, but  the  other  passed  within  a  hundred  yards 
of  us,  upon  which  I  advanced  from  the  wood  towards 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  51 

him.  Upon  my  calling,  he  stopped ;  but  after  look- 
ing at  me,  he  proceeded.  I  again  drew  his  atten- 
tion, and  made  signs  to  him  to  stop,  levelling  my 
piece  at  him ;  but  he  slowly  cantered  away.  As  I 
was  within  that  distance  at  which,  in  the  quickest 
firing,  I  could  have  lodged  half  a  dozen  balls  in  or 
about  him,  before  he  was  out  of  my  reach,  I  had 
only  to  determine ;  but  it  was  not  pleasant  to  fire 
at  the  back  of  an  unoffending  individual,  who  was 
acquitting  himself  very  coolly  of  his  duty ;  so  I  let 
him  alone. 

"  The  day  after,  I  had  been  telling  this  story  to 
some  wounded  oflicers  who  lay  in  the  same  room 
with  me,  when  one  of  the  surgeons,  who  had  been 
dressing  the  wounded  rebel  officers,  came  in,  and 
told  us,  that  they  had  been  informing  him  that 
General  Washington  was  all  the  morning  with  the 
light  troops,  and  only  attended  by  a  French  officer 
in  a  hussar  dress,  he  himself  dressed  and  mounted 
in  every  point  as  above  described.  I  am  not  sorry 
that  I  did  not  know  at  the  time  who  it  was." 


THE  DROWNING  LADY. 

A  GAY  lady  in  New  England  once  had  occasion 
to  go  to  a  neighboring  town,  where  she  had  often 
been  before.  In  the  immediate  vicinity  was  a 
stream  which  she  had  to  go  near,  and  which  at 
this  period  was  high.  With  a  view  of  showing  her 


52  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

courage  to  a  young  person  whom  she  had  taken 
with  her  as  a  companion,  she  went  into  the  stream 
with  her  horse,  and  in  a  very  little  time  was  thrown 
into  the  water — had  already  sunk  once  or  twice  to 
the  bottom,  and  felt  that  she  was  within  a  few  mo- 
ments of  an  eternal  world,  without  being  prepared 
for  so  great  a  change. 

It  so  happened,  that  a  young  man  in  another 
neighboring  town  had  felt  a  powerful  impression 
on  his  mind  that  morning,  that  he  would  visit  the 
same  place.  He  had  no  business  to  transact ;  but, 
being  forcibly  impressed  with  the  importance  of 
going  thither,  he  invited  a  young  man  to  accom- 
pany him.  Arriving  at  the  side  of  the  stream  just 
as  the  young  ladies  were  about  to  cross  it,  they  saw 
it  was  improbable  that  they  could  ford  it ;  yet,  as 
the  ladies  went,  they  determined  to  follow. 

By  the  time  the  young  lady  was  thrown  from 
her  horse,  the  others  had  nearly  reached  the  oppo- 
site shore ;  but,  perceiving  her  danger,  one  of  them 
immediately  followed  her  on  his  horse,  and  in  the 
last  moment  of  life,  as  it  then  appeared,  she  caught 
hold  of  the  horse's  leg;  he  thus  secured  her,  and 
snatching  hold  of  the  other  drowning  young  lady, 
she  was  saved  also.  After  the  use  of  proper  reme- 
dies they  recovered ;  and  the  young  gentlemen, 
believing  that  the  design  of  their  coming  from  home 
was  now  answered,  returned  back. 

The  impressions  made  on  the  mind  of  this  young 
lady  were  permanent,  and  she  was  led  to  reflect  on 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  53 

the  sins  she  had  committed  against  God,  to  pray 
for  the  pardon  of  her  guilt,  and  to  devote  herself  to 
the  Divine  service.  She  embraced  the  mercy  of  the 
Lord,  believing  in  the  Redeemer,  who  alone  saves 
from  the  wrath  to  come. 

In  the  same  town  with  herself  lived  a  young 
gentleman,  who  had  often  spent  his  hours  in  vain 
conversation  with  her.  On  her  return  home,  he 
went  to  congratulate  her  on  her  escape,  and  to  his 
surprise,  found  she  attributed  her  deliverance  to  the 
power  of  God,  and  urged  him  to  seek  that  grace 
which  they  had  both  neglected.  Her  serious  con- 
versation was  blest  to  his  conversion,  and  he  became 
a  faithful  minister  of  Jesus  Christ. 


HE  CRUCIFIED  NOT  HIMSELF. 

A  GENTLEMAN  was  known  by  his  nearest  and 
dearest  friend,  his  wife,  never  to  lie  down  upon  his 
pillow,  some  years  before  his  death,  or  raise  his 
head  from  it  in  the  morning,  without  repeating  the 
short  hymn  annexed  to  this  anecdote ;  and  some- 
times he  would  inadvertently  burst  into  ejaculations 
in  company,  when  two  or  three  lines  of  it  were  dis- 
tinctly heard  before  he  could  recollect  himself.  The 
cause  at  that  time  was  unknown ;  but  after  his  de- 
cease a  paper  was  found  in  his  bureau  to  the  follow- 
ing purport : — "  You  will  no  longer  be  surprised  at 
5* 


54  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

my  involuntary  effusions  of  feeble  gratitude  to  the 
Almighty,  when  you  shall  read  that  many  years 
since  the  dread  of  approaching  poverty,  disgrace, 
and  desertion  of  friends,  had  brought  me  to  the 
fatal  resolution  of  ending  my  existence.  Conscious 
that  I  had  brought  misfortune  upon  a  numerous 
family  by  my  own  imprudence,  dissipation,  and 
pride,  I  considered  my  punishment  as  an  act  of 
justice.  The  destined  moment  arrived ;  already 
had  I  loaded,  primed,  and  cocked — when,  strange 
to  relate !  though  I  had  not  read  a  page  in  the 
Bible  for  years,  a  reflection  came  suddenly  across 
my  mind — 'Jesus  of  Nazareth,'  said  I  to  myself, 
'was  a  man  (for  I  disbelieved  in  his  divinity) 
acquainted  with  sorrows,  endured  a  life  of  poverty, 
was  exposed  to  public  scorn  and  derision,  suffered 
pain  of  body  and  agony  of  mind,  and  had  nothing 
to  reproach  himself  with — yet  this  reformer  of  the 
morals  of  mankind,  this  benefactor  to  society,  this 
illustrious  pattern  of  fortitude,  patience,  and  hu- 
manity, was  by  an  unthankful  world  put  to  death  : 
he  was  crucified !  But  lie  crucified  not  himself!' 
Repeating  these  last  words  with  unusual  energy, 
my  inability  humbly  to  imitate  his  example  of 
bearing  afflictions  manfully,  produced  a  passionate 
conflict  of  pride,  shame,  and  contempt,  in  which 
paroxysm  I  madly  flung  the  pistol  some  distance 
from  me ;  to  add  to  the  affecting  scene,  it  went  off, 
unheard  but  by  my  affectionate  wife,  who  reli- 
giously kept  the  secret;  her  consolations  restored 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  58 

me  to  temporary  tranquillity.  But  the  work  of  Pro- 
vidence was  not  yet  completed;  not  a  week  had 
elapsed,  and  settled  melancholy  was  again  taking 
possession  of  my  soul,  when  a  letter  announced  the 
death  of  a  distant  relation  and  summoned  me  to 
the  reading  of  his  will,  by  which  he  bequeathed 
me  sufficient  to  clear  me  of  embarrassment,  and 
start  me  upon  a  career  of  prosperity,  which,  by 
God's  blessing,  has  resulted  in  independence." 

Rise,  0  my  soul !  the  hour  review, 

When,  awed  by  guilt  and  fear, 
Thou  durst  not  heaven  for  mercy  sue, 

Nor  hope  for  pity  here ! 

Dried  are  thy  tears,  thy  griefs  are  fled, 

Dispelled  each  bitter  care  ; 
For  heaven  itself  did  send  its  aid, 

To  snatch  thee  from  despair. 

Then  hear,  0  God,  thy  vrork  fulfil, 

And  from  thy  mercy's  throne 
Vouchsafe  me  strength  to  do  thy  will, 

And  to  resist  my  own. 

So  shall  my  soul  each  power  employ, 

Thy  mercies  to  adore, 
Whilst  heaven  itself  proclaims  with  joy, 

One  rescued  sinner  more. 


THE  VICIOUS  HORSE. 

MR.  McK ,  of  Talbot  county,  Md.,  told  me, 

that  once  he  owned  a  young  horse,  which  he  desired 
to  break  for  a  carriage-horse,  for  the  use  of  his 


56  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

family.  On  one  occasion,  he  concluded  to  try  the 
horse  in  a  cart,  previous  to  using  him  in  the  car- 
riage. He  took  him  to  the  field  to  gather  in  the 
fodder,  and  here  the  animal  worked  so  gently  and 
kindly  through  the  day,  that  he  became  satisfied 
with  the  trial,  and  determined  on  putting  him  to 
the  carriage,  and  taking  his  family  out  riding. 
Hauling  in  the  last  load  of  fodder,  however,  an  im- 
pression was  made  on  his  mind,  that  he  had  better 
try  the  horse  still  further.  But  this  suggestion 
seemed  so  unreasonable,  after  the  trial  already 
made,  that  he  endeavored  to  dissipate  it  from  his 
mind.  It,  however,  strengthened  on  him,  in  spite 
of  his  resistance ;  and,  by  the  time  he  reached  the 
stack-yard,  where  the  fodder  was  to  be  deposited, 
he  concluded  to  yield  to  it.  Throwing  down  the 
load,  he  drove  the  horse  through  the  gate  into  the 
public  road;  hardly  had  he  gone  three  hundred 
yards,  when  the  horse  commenced  kicking  in  a 
manner  so  furious  and  terrible,  that  but  for  a  chain 
which  he  had  the  precaution  to  fasten  across  its 
back,  everything  must  have  been  destroyed.  Had 
he  been  allowed  to  carry  out  his  determination  to 
take  his  family  out,  it  is  hardly  possible  that  they 
should  all  have  escaped  with  their  lives.  But  he 
who  controls  all  things  had  determined  differently. 
Man  proposes,  but  God  disposes. 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  57 


THE  ROBBERS. 

A  NEIGHBORING  farmer,  Mr.  Reed,  had  the  repu- 
tation in  the  country  of  being  exceedingly  rich. 
Several  attempts  had  been  made  to  rob  his  house, 
but  they  had  all  failed.  At  last,  a  servant,  who 
had  lived  with  him,  and  knew  the  way  of  the 
house,  plotted  with  one  Cain,  a  cooper,  and  one 
Digny,  a  schoolmaster,  and  a  fellow  of  the  name 
of  McHenry,  to  rob  the  house  on  a  Sabbath  evening. 
Neither  of  them  lived  in  that  neighborhood  :  they 
rendezvoused  in  a  town  called  Garvah,  about  a  mile 
and  a  half  from  the  place,  wrhere  they  purchased  a 
couple  of  candles.  They  left  that  about  eleven 
o'clock  at  night,  and  concealed  themselves  some- 
where in  the  fields,  till  about  two  in  the  morning. 
They  then  came  to  the  house,  and  had  a  consulta- 
tion, which  was  the  best  method  of  entering.  At 
first  they  got  a  long  ladder,  and  reared  it  against 
the  house,  intending  to  strip  off  some  of  the  thatch 
above  the  kitchen,  and  enter  that  way,  as  there 
was  no  flooring  above  it.  This  they  afterwards 
gave  up  as  too  tedious,  and  likely  to  lead  to  a  dis- 
covery. They  were  now  about  to  abandon  their 
design,  when  Digny,  a  man  of  desperate  courage, 
upbraided  them  with  cowardice,  and  said :  "  Will 
you  resign  an  enterprise  in  which  you  are  likely  to 
acquire  so  large  a  booty,  because  there  appear  to 
be  some  difficulties  in  the  way?"  After  a  little 


58  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

parley,  they  came  to  the  resolution  to  take  the 
house  by  storm,  and  Digny  agreed  to  enter  first,  by 
suddenly  dashing  the  kitchen  window  in  pieces. 
He  stripped  off  his  coat  and  waistcoat,  tied  a  garter 
round  each  arm  to  confine  his  shirt,  and  one  about 
each  knee  to  render  him  more  firm,  and  one  around 
his  waist,  in  which  he  stuck  his  pistols,  and  tied  a 
handkerchief  over  his  face,  with  three  holes  cut  in 
it,  one  for  his  mouth,  and  two  for  his  eyes.  He 
then,  in  a  moment,  dashed  the  window  to  pieces, 
passed  through  it,  and  leaped  down  from  the  sill, 
and,  though  he  lighted  on  a  spinning-wheel,  and 
broke  it  in  pieces,  yet  he  did  not  stumble.  He  flew 
in  a  moment  to  the  door,  unlocked  it,  and  let  two 
of  the  gang  in,  the  fourth,  McHenry,  standing 
without  as  sentry.  The  lock  being  a  very  good 
one,  the  bolt  went  back  with  so  loud  a  noise  as  to 
awaken  Mr.  Reed,  who  lay  in  a  room  off  the 
kitchen,  on  the  same  floor.  A  young  man  of  the 
name  of  Kennedy,  a  servant  in  the  family,  lay  in  a 
room  next  to  that  of  his  master,  only  separated 
from  it  by  a  narrow  passage,  which  divided  two 
sets  of  rooms  on  the  right  and  left. 

Cooper  Cain,  and  the  other  accomplice,  went 
immediately  to  the  fire,  which,  being  in  that  coun- 
try formed  of  turf,  was  raked  up  in  its  own  ashes, 
and  began  to  pull  out  the  coals  in  order  to  light 
their  candle.  Mr.  Reed,  having  been  awakened,  as 
before  related,  jumped  out  of  bed,  and  ran  up  the 
passage  towards  the  kitchen,  and  cried  out :  "  Who 


I:I:MARKACLE  PROVIDENCES.  r>9 

is  there  ?"  Digny,  who  was  standing  ready  with 
his  hanger  drawn,  waiting  for  the  light,  which  the 
others  were  endeavoring  to  procure,  hearing  the 
voice,  made  a  blow  at  the  place  whence  it  came, 
but  did  not  see  that  the  old  man  had  not  yet  passed 
through  the  door  into  the  kitchen;  the  hanger 
caught  the  bricks  above  the  doorhead,  broke  out 
more  than  a  pound  weight  off  one  of  them,  above 
the  lintel,  slided  down,  and  laid  Mr.  Reed's  right 
cheek  open  from  the  eye  to  the  lower  jaw.  Had 
he  been  six  inches  more  advanced,  the  blow  would 
have  cleft  his  head  in  two.  The  old  man,  feeling 
himself  wounded,  sprang  desperately  forward,  and 
seized  the  assassin,  who  immediately  dropped  his 
hanger,  which  he  could  no  longer  use  (for  Mr.  Reed, 
who  was  a  powerful  man,  had  seized  him  by  both 
arms),  closed  in  and  grappled  with  Mr.  R.  Ken- 
nedy, who  had  been  awake  even  before  the  window 
was  broken,  arose,  and,  while  his  master  and  Digny 
were  struggling  in  the  passage,  got  past  them,  went 
into  the  kitchen,  where  a  loaded  gun  was  hanging 
on  hooks  high  up  on  the  wall,  ascended  a  large 
chest,  seized  the  gun,  which,  he  not  being  able  to 
get  readily  out  of  the  hoo.ks,  with  a  desperate  pull 
brought  the  hook  out  of  the  wall,  descended  from 
the  chest,  squeezed  by  his  master  and  the  assassin 
still  struggling  in  the  passage,  cocked  it,  and  was 
going  to  fire,  but  could  not  discern  his  master  from 
the  robber.  With  great  presence  of  mind  he  de- 
layed till,  Cain  and  his  confederate  having  sue- 


60  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

ceeded  in  lighting  their  candle  (which  they  found 
very  difficult,  not  having  a  match),  he  was  able  to 
discern  between  his  master  and  Digny.  In  that 
moment  he  fired,  and  shot  the  latter  through  the 
heart,  who  instantly  fell,  and  Mr.  Reed  on  the  top 
of  him.  Kennedy  having  discharged  his  piece, 
immediately  cried  out :  "  I've  shot  one  of  them ; 
hand  me  the  other  gun  !"  Cain  and  his  accomplice, 
hearing  the  report,  and  seeing  what  was  done,  ex- 
tinguished their  candle,  and,  with  McHenry,  fled. 

All  this  was  crowded  into  two  or  three  minutes. 
Kennedy  flew  to  the  door,  relocked  it,  threw  chairs, 
tables,  &c.,  against  it  and  the  window,  reloaded  his 
gun,  arid  stood  ready  to  meet  another  attack.  At 
length,  after  several  hours  of  the  deepest  anxiety, 
daylight  returned,  and  brought  assurance  and  con- 
fidence to  this  distressed  family.  The  issue  was, 
McHenry  turned  king's  evidence,  and  the  old  ser- 
vant was  taken  and  hanged ;  but  Cooper  Cain  fled, 
and  was  never  heard  of  more. 

The  most  remarkable  feature  in  the  case  was, 
Mr.  R.  had  lent  his  gun  to  a  man  who  lived  several 
miles  off;  on  Saturday  evening,  Kennedy  asked 
liberty  from  his  master  to  go  and  bring  it  home, 
which  was  with  difficulty  granted.  Had  not  the 
gun  been  brought  home  that  night,  there  is  no 
doubt  the  house  would  not  only  have  been  robbed, 
but  every  soul  murdered ;  as  it  is  evident  they  had 
intended  to  leave  no  person  alive  to  tell  tales. — 
Life  of  Dr  A.  Clarice. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.'  61 


STRANGE  PRESERVATION  OF  DR.  GILL. 

IN  1752,  Dr.  Gill  was,  one  day,  strongly  impressed 
to  leave  his  study.  He  could  neither  account  for 
the  impression,  nor  drive  it  from  his  mind ;  and 
finally,  with  some  degree  of  hesitancy,  yielded  to 
the  strange  feeling,  and  retired  from  the  room. 
But  a  short  time  after  he  had  left,  the  chimney  fell, 
and  crushed  the  very  table  at  which  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  sit.  Then  he  saw  the  hand  of  God  in  it, 
and  praised  him  for  his  mercy. 


KNOX  SAVED  FROM  DEATH. 

AN  incident,  somewhat  similar  to  the  above, 
occurred  in  the  case  of  the  celebrated  divine  J. 
Knox.  He  was  accustomed  to  sit  at  the  hearthside 
in  the  evenings  with  his  family ;  his  chair  always 
occupying  one  particular  spot.  One  evening,  with- 
out explaining  his  reasons,  he  would  neither  sit  in 
that  place  himself,  nor  allow  any  of  his  family  to 
occupy  it.  The  chair  was  in  its  accustomed  place, 
but  no  one  was  suffered  to  fill  it.  In  the  course  of 
the  evening  a  shot  was  fired  into  the  house  and 
passed  directly  through  the  back  of  the  empty  chair. 
God  had  a  work  for  his  servant,  and  saved  him  from 
the  hand  of  the  assassin. 
0 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


CASE  OF  WICKLIFF. 

AT  one  period  of  his  life,  this  eminent  reformer's 
health  was  considerably  impaired  by  the  labor  of 
producing  his  numerous  compositions,  and  the  excite- 
ments inseparable  from  the  restless  hostilities  of  his 
enemies.  Being  supposed  to  be  in  dangerous  cir- 
cumstances, his  old  antagonists,  the  mendicants, 
conceived  it  next  to  impossible  that  so  notorious  a 
heretic  should  find  himself  near  a  future  world 
without  the  most  serious  apprehensions  of  Divine 
anger.  While  they  declared  that  the  dogmas  of 
the  reformer  had  arisen  from  the  suggestions  of  the 
great  enemy,  they  anticipated  some  advantages  to 
their  cause,  could  .the  dying  culprit  be  induced  to 
make  any  recantation  of  his  published  opinions. 
Wickliff  was  in  Oxford  when  this  sickness  arrested 
his  activity,  and  confined  him  to  his  chamber. 
From  the  four  orders  of  friars,  four  doctors,  who 
were  also  called  regents,  were  gravely  deputed  to 
wait  on  their  expiring  enemy;  and  to  these  the 
same  number  of  civil  officers,  called  senators  of  the 
city,  and  aldermen  of  the  wards,  were  added.  When 
this  embassy  entered  the  apartment  of  the  rector 
of  Lutterworth,  he  was  seen  stretched  on  his  bed. 
Some  kind  wishes  were  first  expressed  as  to  his 
better  health,  and  the  blessing  of  a  speedy  recovery. 
It  was  presently  suggested,  that  he  must  be  aware 
of  the  many  wrongs  which  the  whole  mendicant 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  63 

brotherhood  had  sustained  from  his  attacks,  espe- 
cially in  his  sermons,  and  in  certain  of  his  writings; 
and,  as  death  was  now  apparently  about  to  remove 
him,  it  was  sincerely  hoped  that  he  would  not  con- 
ceal his  penitence,  but  distinctly  revoke  whatever 
he  had  preferred  against  them  to  their  injury.  The 
sick  man  remained  silent  and  motionless  until  this 
address  was  concluded.  He  then  beckoned  his  ser- 
vants to  raise  him.  in  his  bed ;  and  fixing  his  eyes 
on  the  persons  assembled,  summoned  all  his  remain- 
ing strength,  as  he  exclaimed  aloud,  "  I  shall  not 
die,  but  live;  and  shall  again  declare  the  evil  deeds 
of  the  friars."  The  doctors  and  their  attendants 
now  hurried  from  his  presence,  and  they  lived  to 
feel  the  truth  of  his  saying ;  nor  will  it  be  easy  to 
imagine  another  scene  more  characteristic  of  the 
parties  composing  it,  or  of  the  times  in  which  it 
occurred. 


PROVIDENTIAL  DELIVERANCE  FROM  DANGER. 

The  following  article,  lately  handed  to  the  editor  of  the  Imperial 
Magazine,  was  written  by  a  lady,  whose  danger  it  describes.  The 
occurrence  took  place  at  Parr,  in  Cornwall,  and  is  here  presented  to 
the  reader  without  fiction  or  exaggeration. 

I  THINK  it  was  in  the  year  1796,  or  1797,  during 
the  month  of  November,  being  then  about  twenty- 
five  years  of  age,  that  I  met  with  the  following 
occurrence.  On  the  day  in  question,  I  had  been  at 


64  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

a  town  about  live  miles  from  my  father's  house,  to 
which  I  was  returning  about  five  o'clock  in  the 
evening.  In  order  to  shorten  my  journey,  the 
weather  being  cold  and  boisterous,  I  crossed  a 
river  near  the  sea,  and  travelled  over  a  sandy 
beach,  which  was  a  usual  route  when  the  tide  per- 
mitted ;  but  at  its  farther  extremity  I  had  to  pass 
under  a  cliff,  which  at  high  water  the  influx  of  the 
waves  renders  dangerous,  and  sometimes  impracti- 
cable. On  approaching  this  place,  I  found  that  the 
tide  had  made  greater  advances  than  I  had  antici- 
pated ;  yet,  thinking  myself  safe,  being  within  half 
a  mile  of  my  home,  I  entered  the  water  without 
any  apprehension;  but  I  had  not  proceeded  far 
before  I  found  it  much  deeper  than  I  expected. 

Having  discovered  my  error,  the  cliff  being  on 
my  left  hand,  and  the  turbulent  sea  on  my  right, 
I  endeavored  to  turn  my  horse  and  retreat ;  but, 
in  doing  this,  the  poor  animal  fell  over  a  projecting 
rock,  which  both  the  water  and  the  darkness  con- 
spired to  hide.  By  this  fall  I  was  thrown  on  the 
opposite  side  next  the  sea,  and  in  an  instant  was 
buried  in  the  waves.  I,  however,  retained  my 
senses — and,  aware  of  my  danger,  held  fast  by  the 
horse,  which,  after  some  struggling,  drew  me  safely 
on  a  sandy  beach. 

But  although  I  had  thus  far  escaped  the  violence 
of  the  surf,  my  situation  was  dreadfully  insecure. 
I  now  found  myself  hemmed  in  between  two  pro- 
jecting points,  with  scarcely  the  possibility  of  get- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  65 

ting  round  either.  The  tide  was  also  encroaching 
rapidly  on  me,  and  the  cliff  it  was  impossible  to 
scale.  The  wind,  which  had  been  blowing  in  an 
angry  manner,  now  increased  its  fury,  and  the 
waves  partook  of  the  commotion.  Thunder  began 
to  roll;  and  the  vivid  lightning,  gleaming  on  the 
surface  of  the  water,  just  interrupted  the  dominion 
of  surrounding  darkness,  to  show  me  the  horror  of 
my  situation.  This  was  accompanied  with  tre- 
mendous showers  of  hail,  from  the  violence  of 
which  I  could  find  no  shelter.  Thus  circum- 
stanced, I  made  a  desperate  effort  to  remount  my 
horse,  resolving  to  get  round  one  of  the  projecting 
points,  as  my  only  chance  of  safety,  or  perish  in 
the  attempt;  but  all  my  efforts  proved  unsuccess- 
ful, and  to  this  inability  it  is  probable  that  I  owe 
my  life. 

The  tide  gaining  fast  upon  me,  the  poor  animal, 
impelled  by  instinct,  mounted  a  rock ;  and,  taught 
by  his  success,  as  well  as  driven  by  recessity,  I 
with  difficulty  followed  the  example.  In  this  for- 
lorn condition,  I  had  time  for  a  little  reflection, — 
and  but  little,  and  in  its  first  impulses  it  was  exer- 
cised to  less  purpose ;  for  I  again  made  another 
ineffectual  effort  to  remount,  without  duly  consider- 
ing the  inevitable  destruction  that  awaited  me  in 
ease  I  had  succeeded. 

The  waves,  urged  on  by  the  tempest,  to  the 
whole  rigor  of  which  I  stood  exposed,  soon  told  me 

that  my  retreat  was  unsafe.     The  rock  on  which 
5 


GO  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

myself  and  horse  stood  was  soon  covered  with  the 
rising  tide,  so  that  at  times  we  were  so  nearly  over- 
whelmed, that  I  could  literally  say,  "  thy  waves 
and  thy  billows  are  gone  over  me."  Surrounded 
thus  by  water,  and  rendered  partially  buoyant  by 
its  encroachment,  my  horse  made  another  despe- 
rate effort,  and  happily  gained  a  still  more  elevated 
crag.  I  soon  followed,  but  with  considerable  diffi- 
culty ;  and  as  all  further  ascent  appeared  impracti- 
cable, in  this  place  I  at  first  expected  to  meet  my 
fate. 

Under  this  impression,  with  "  but  a  step  between 
me  and  death,"  I  began  seriously  to  reflect  on  the 
solemnities  and  near  approach  of  eternity,  into 
which,  perhaps,  a  few  minutes  might  hurry  my 
disembodied  spirit.  In  these  awful  moments,  I 
can  truly  say,  "  I  cried  by  reason  of  mine  affliction 
unto  the  Lord,  and  he  heard  me ;"  for  in  the  midst 
of  the  waters  I  knelt  on  a  rock,  and  commended 
my  soul  to  Him  who  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and 
earth,  well  knowing  that  he  was  able  to  say  to  the 
turbulent  ocean,  "  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  but 
no  further,  and  here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be 
stayed."  For  some  time  I  felt  a  gleam  of  hope 
that  I  should  survive  the  calamities  of  this  disas- 
trous night ;  but  this  was  speedily  destroyed  by  the 
increasing  waters,  which,  nearly  overwhelming  us 
in  this  forlorn  retreat,  convinced  me  that  the  tide 
had  not  yet  reached  its  utmost  height. 

Conceiving  my  own  deliverance  to  be  scarcely 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  07 

possible,  I  felt  anxious  for  the  escape  of  my  horse, 
and  with  this  view  endeavored  to  disencumber  him 
of  the  bridle  and  saddle ;  that,  in  attempting  to 
swim,  he  might  find  no  impediment  to  prevent  his 
reaching  the  shore.  But  while  I  was  thus  engaged, 
to  my  utter  astonishment,  by  another  violent  exer- 
tion, my  horse  partially  ascended  on  another  crag, 
sufficiently  so  to  keep  his  head  above  the  water.  I 
was  not  long  in  attempting  a  similar  effort,  in  which 
I  happily  succeeded.  This,  however,  was  our  last 
retreat,  for  just  over  our  heads  projected  a  large 
shelving  rock,  above  which  it  was  impossible  for  us 
to  ascend.  Here  I  sat  down,  with  a  mind  some- 
what composed,  to  wait  the  event  which  was  hastily 
approaching,  and  with  an  expectation  suspended 
between  the  hope  of  life  and  the  fear  of  death. 

After  remaining  in  this  situation  for  some  time 
without  being  increasingly  annoyed  by  the  roaring 
waves,  I  began  to  hope  that  the  tide  had  reached 
its  height,  and  in  this  I  was  at  length  confirmed  by 
the  light  of  the  rising  moon,  which,  gleaming 
against  the  rocks,  showed,  to  my  inexpressible  joy, 
that  the  water  had  actually  begun  to  subside.  I 
was  now  convinced  that  if  we  could  retain  our 
position  until  the  water  had  retired,  and  I  could 
survive  the  cold,  we  might  both  be  preserved ;  but 
this  was  exceedingly  doubtful,  as  the  posture  in 
which  my  horse  stood  was  approaching  to  a  per- 
pendicular, and  I  was  cherished  by  the  warmth 
which  proceeded  from  his  breath,  as  I  kept  his 


68  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

head  near  my  bosom,  and  derived  from  it  a  benefit 
which  experience  only  can  explain. 

As  the  tide  retired,  and  the  moon  became  more 
elevated,  I  discovered,  by  its  increasing  light,  to 
what  a  fearful  height  we  had  ascended,  and  the 
difficulty  of  getting  down  in  safety  appeared  not 
less  formidable  than  the  means  of  getting  up  had 
been  extraordinary.  This,  however,  through  a 
watchful  Providence,  was  at  last  with  care  effected, 
without  any  material  accident.  On  reaching  the 
beach,  from  which  the  waves  had  now  retired,  I 
endeavored  to  walk  towards  my  home,  but  found 
myself  so  benumbed  that  I  w^as  unable;  and  my 
voice  was  so  nearly  gone  that  I  could  not  call  for 
help,  although  I  was  not  far  from  my  father's 
house,  and  near  many  kind  neighbors,  who  would 
have  risked  their  lives  to  render  me  assistance,  if 
they  had  known  of  my  situation. 

Being  unable  to  proceed,  I  seated  myself  upon  a 
rock,  and  expected,  from  the  intense  cold,  that  here 
I  must  perish,  although  I  had  escaped  the  fury  of 
the  tempest  and  the  drenching  of  the  waves.  How 
long  I  remained  here  I  cannot  say  with  certainty, 
but,  when  almost  reduced  to  a  state  of  insensibility, 
I  was  providentially  discovered  in  this  position  by 
my  father's  servant,  who  had  been  sent  out  to 
search  for  me,  as  from  the  lateness  of  the  hour  the 
family  had  anticipated  some  misfortune,  and  become 
alarmed. 

I  had  been  in  the  water  about  three  or  four 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  G9 

hours  and  exposed  to  the  disasters  of  the  tempest 
from  about  five  in  the  evening  to  half  past  eleven 
at  night,  at  which  time  I  reached  my  comfortable 
dwelling,  much  exhausted,  but  to  the  great  joy  of 
my  affectionate  parent,  who,  I  doubt  not,  had  been 
offering  up  petitions  in  my  behalf  to  Him  who  hears 
the  ardent  whispers  of  the  soul,  when  presented  to 
him  in  sincerity. 

For  this  preservation  I  desire  to  thank  my  God, 
but  my  words  are  poor  and  insufficient  for  this  pur- 
pose. May  all  my  actions  praise  him,  and  may  my 
lengthened  life  be  devoted  to  his  glory ! 

T.  K N. 


STRANGELY  WARNED. 

"  I  LEFT,"  said  the  Rev.  E.  J.  Way,  "  the  camp- 
meeting,  on  the  river  P ,  on  the  morning  of  the 

last  day.  About  two  miles  out  from  the  ground  I 
met  the  stage  which  was  going  up  to  the  camp  for 
persons  who  were  to  leave.  Having  been  up  all 
the  preceding  night,  and  laboring  hard  for  several 
davs,  I  was  both  tired  and  sleepy.  As  the  horse 
was  going  along  steadily,  I  fell  into  a  doze.  How 
lonir  I  slept,  I  know  not,  but  I  was  greatly  oppressed 
with  a  sense  of  danger.  Rousing  from  sleep,  I  dis- 
covered myself  in  a  narrow  piece  of  road,  with  a 
hiiih  embankment  on  each  side,  but  everything  was 
safe.  I  looked  to  see  what  had  so  strangely  excited 


70  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

my  fears,  but  found  nothing.  Happening  to  look 
behind  me,  I  saw  the  stage,  which  had  passed 
awhile  before,  coming  back.  The  vehicle  was  empty, 
and  the  horses  were  running  furiously.  The  road 
was  too  narrow  for  them  to  pass  without  tearing 
my  sulky  into  pieces.  Escape  seemed  impossible. 
But  suddenly  turning  my  horse,  I  drove  him  up 
the  steep  bank,  just  in  time  to  save  my  life.  1 
could  not  but  lift  my  heart  in  gratitude  to  God, 
who  had  so  strangely  warned,  and  timely  delivered 
me." 


DIVINE  RETRIBUTION. 

A  YOUNG  farmer,  who  lived  at  Belton  near  Ep- 
worth,  in  Lincolnshire,  about  the  year  1720,  being 
at  breakfast  in  his  house,  started  up,  and  cried,  "  I 
must  go  into  the  barn !"  One  asked  him,  "  For 
what?"  He  said,  " I  cannot  tell;"  and  ran  away 
with -his  knife  in  his  hand.  The  first  thing  he  saw, 
when  he  came  into  it,  was  his  father,  who  had  just 
hanged  himself  on  one  of  the  beams.  He  immedi- 
ately cut  him  down,  took  him  in  his  arms,  brought 
him  into  the  house,  and  laid  him  on  a  bed.  It  was 
not  long  before  he  came  to  himself.  He  then  looked 
upon  his  son,  and  said,  "  Now  God  has  requited 
me !  Three  and  twenty  years  ago  I  cut  down  mj 
own  father,  who  had  hanged  himself  on  that  verj 
beam !" 


PART   II. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN 
THE  RELIEF  OF  SUFFERING,  DELIVERANCE 
FROM  DANGER,  &c. 

"  Surely  ho  shall  deliver  thee  from  the  snare  of  the  fowler,  and  from  the 
noisome  pestilence.  Ho  shall  cover  thee  with  his  feathers,  and  under  His 
wings  shall  thou  trust:  His  truth  shall  he  thy  shield  and  buckler."  —  PSALM 
xci.  3,  4. 


(71) 


SECTION   I. 

Belief  stut  ij  Intelligent  Agents, 


REMARKABLE  ANSWER  TO  PRAYER. 

He  made  darkness  his  secret  place ;  his  pavilion  round  about  him 
•were  dark  waters  and  thick  clouds  of  the  skies. — PSAL.  xviii.  11. 

WHEN  stationed  on  the  island  of  Nantucket,  in 
1821,  Brother  V.,  from  Connecticut,  came  there  for 
the  benefit  of  his  health.  He  had  passed  through 
a  furnace  of  affliction,  and  found  God  to  be  a  strong 
tower  and  deliverer.  It  grieved  him  even  to  speak 
of  his  sad  history.  He  was  a  charming  singer; 
but  sorrow  had  given  each  tone  a  plaintive  air, 
which  found  a  response  in  a  sympathetic  heart. 
As  he  spake  of  sustaining  grace,  a  chastened  cheer- 
fulness would  play  upon  his  countenance,  which  was 
commonly  marked  with  sadness ;  he  was  yet  in  very 
feeble  health. 

On  one  occasion  he  gave  a  number  of  us  a  sketch 

of  his  affliction,  which  sunk  deep  into  my  heart,  and 
7  (73) 


74  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

I  think  it  might  be  of  special  benefit  to  those  who 
are  passing  through  tribulations. 

He  had  been  master  of  a  schooner  in  the  "West 
India  trade,  and,  on  his  last  voyage,  left  a  most 
affectionate  and  lovely  wife  and  child.  With  a 
valuable  cargo,  he  started  for  home ;  but  when  in 
the  Gulf  Stream,  I  think  in  the  night,  a  sudden 
squall  struck  them,  and  threw  the  schooner  upon 
her  beam-ends,  and  they  were  obliged  to  cut  away 
her  masts.  She  righted;  but  only  the  stern  re- 
mained above  the  water.  They  secured  a  spar, 
which  they  lashed  to  the  rails  for  their  support. 
Some  oranges  washed  from  the  hold  which  they 
caught,  and  bread  also ;  but  it  was  so  salt,  it  greatly 
aggravated  their  thirst.  When  they  had  lashed 
themselves  to  the  spar,  I  think  seven  in  all,  Brother 
V.  requested  them  to  get  upon  their  knees,  and  he 
would  ask  God  to  have  mercy  on  them.  He  also 
desired  the  mate  to  pray,  who  was  a  pious  man. 
He  did  so,  and  they  often  had  such  prayer-meetings 
while  on  the  wreck.  One  orange  a  day,  and  a  little 
bread  sufficed.  They  often  saw  vessels,  but  as  they 
were  so  low,  and  could  set  no  signal,  they  passed 
by.  One  came  eo  near,  they  hoped  to  hail  them, 
and  all  raised  a  feeble  cry, — thirst  had  parched 
their  mouths, — and  they  sank  almost  in  despair. 
Large  sharks  were  playing  around  them,  coming  on 
deck,  and  as  near  them  as  the  water  would  permit, 
and  pause,  and  look  wishfully  at  them.  On  the 
sixth  day,  I  think,  a  passenger  died,  and  they  could 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  75 

only  put  him  overboard  to  the  sharks.  The  oranges 
and  bread  had  been  consumed,  and  their  strength 
exhausted,  when,  on  the  eighth  day,  towards  night, 
they  saw  a  black  cloud  arising,  with  forked  light- 
nings  darting  in  different  directions.  All  said  we 
can  never  survive  that,  except  Brother  V.,  who  still 
felt  a  secret  hope  that  they  might  be  saved.  He 
said,  Let  us  get  upon  our  knees  once  more,  which 
they  had  hardly  strength  to  do,  and  he  was  only 
able  to  whisper  by  reason  of  thirst.  While  pray- 
ing he  felt  an  overwhelming  power  come  upon  him, 
with  liberty  to  come  very  near  the  mercy-seat,  and 
ask  what  he  would.  His  voice  returned,  and  he 
cried  out,  If  iliou  WILT,  tliou  CANST  deliver  us !  Take 
us,  Lord,  and  do  with  us  as  seemeth  good  in  thy 
si  (/Jit!  The  Holy  Spirit  testified  deliverance  shall 
come!  This  mighty  energy  quickened  both  soul 
and  body,  and  he  started  upon  his  feet,  and  sang 
with  a  clear  voice  what  rushed  upon  his  mind  : — 

Ye  fearful  saints,  fresh  courage  take ; 

The  clouds  ye  so  much  dread, 
Are  big  with  mercy,  and  shall  break 

In  blessings  on  your  head. 

They  were  all  deeply  affected,  as  reviving  hope 
inspired  each  heart.  He  exhorted  them  to  look  to 
God  who  had  undertaken  their  cause,  and  see  that 
they  were  faithfully  lashed  to  the  spar,  and  have 
no  fear  cf  the  storm.  Soon  the  horrors  of  darkness 
covered  them ;  the  lightning's  glare,  the  thunder's 
roar,  the  >sea  raging,  and  themselves  at  times  sub- 


76  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

merged  in  the  angry  waves, — all,  all  threatened 
instant  death.  But  Brother  V.  was  calm ;  he  had 
hold  of  the  promise  of  God,  and  held  it  fast.  Yes, 
he  was  happy  in  the  God  of  his  salvation,  and 
could  say  Glory  to  God ! 

The  storm  had  spent  its  fury,  and  about  the 
dawn  of  the  ninth  day,  all  was  a  dead  calm.  They 
saw,  as  the  light  increased,  a  brig  near  by  them  to 
the  south.  With  the  rising  sun,  came  a  gentle 
breeze  from  the  south,  and  they  saw  them  unfurl- 
ing their  sails,  and  the  brig  came  slowly  close  by  the 
wreck,  before  they  saw  it.  The  sufferers  were  soon 
on  board,  though  unable  to  stand,  and  the  captain 
exclaimed :  "  I  cannot  tell  by  what  means  you 
have  lived  through  the  night;  but  if  it  had  not 
been  for  this  storm,  I  should  not  have  been  within 
one  hundred  miles  of  this  place." 

Very  few,  if  any,  real  infidels  are  found  among 
sailors.  They  see  and  acknowledge  the  hand  of 
the  Lord  in  the  mighty  deep.  There  was  not  one 
there  to  sneer  at  the  idea  that  our  God  is  a  hearer 
of  prayer.  When  they  heard  of  that  prayer,  and 
of  the  blessing  of  God  upon  them,  and  the  assu- 
rance of  deliverance,  they  were  satisfied  why  they 
could  not  bear  up  against  that  tornado ;  but  to  save 
their  lives  must  scud  before  it.  It  seemed  as  though 
the  Lord's  hand  was  upon  them  to  bring  them  to 
the  spot,  and  there  waited  for  the  morning. 

A.  K. 

BEDFORD,  1856. 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  77 


THE  CAPTIVE'S  RELEASE. 

IN  the  war  called  Braddock's  War,  says  a  writer 
in  the  Christian  Advocate,  my  father  was  an  officer 
in  the  British  navy.  One  night,  us  they  were  run- 
ning close  to  the  coast  of  Barbary,  the  officers  on 
deck  heard  some  person  singing.  A  moment  con- 
vinced them  that  he  was  singing  the  Old  Hundred 
psalm  tune.  They  immediately  conjectured  that 
the  singer  was  a  Christian  captive,  and  determined 
to  attempt  his  rescue.  Twenty  stout  sailors,  armed 
with  pistols  and  cutlasses,  manned  the  ship's  boats, 
and  approached  the  shore.  Directed  by  the  voice 
of  singing  and  prayer,  they  soon  reached  the  abode 
of  the  Christian  captive.  It  was  a  little  hut  at  the 
bottom  of  his  master's  garden,  on  a  small  river. 
They  burst  open  the  door,  and  took  him  from  his 
knees,  and,  in  a  few  moments,  he  was  on  the  ship's 
deck  frantic  with  joy.  The  account  he  gave  of 
himself  was,  that  his  name  was  McDonald ;  that 
he  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  had  been  a  cap- 
tive eighteen  years ;  he  obtained  the  confidence  of 
his  master,  and  had  the  privilege  of  living  by  him- 
self. He  said  that  he  was  not  at  all  surprised 
when  they  broke  open  his  door ;  for  the  Turks  had 
often  done  so,  and  whipped  him  when  on  his  knees. 


7* 


78  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


THE  LITTLE  CAPTIVES  STRANGELY  DELIVERED. 

IN  the  year  1754,  a  dreadful  war  broke  out  in 
Canada,  between  the  French  and  the  English. 
The  Indians  took  part  with  the  French,  and  made 
many  excursions  as  far  as  Pennsylvania,  where 
they  plundered  and  burnt  the  houses  and  murdered 
the  people.  In  1755,  they  reached  the  dwelling 
of  a  poor  family  from  Wirtemberg,  while  the  wife 
and  one  of  the  sons  were  gone  to  a  mill,  four  miles 
distant,  to  get  some  corn  ground.  The  husband, 
the  eldest  son,  and  two  little  girls,  named  Barbara 
and  Regina,  were  at  home.  The  father  and  son 
were  killed  by  the.  savages,  and  the  two  little  girls 
carried  into  captivity,  with  a  great  many  other 
children,  who  were  taken  in  the  same  manner. 
They  were  led  many  miles  through  woods  and 
thorny  bushes,  that  nobody  might  follow  them. 
In  this  condition  they  were  brought  to  the  habita- 
tions of  the  Indians,  who  divided  among  themselves 
all  the  children  whom  they  had  taken  captive. 

Barbara  was  at  this  time  ten  years  old,  and  Re- 
gina nine.  It  was  never  known  what  became  of 
Barbara ;  but  Regina,  with  a  little  girl  of  two  years 
old,  whom  she  had  never  seen  before,  were  given  to 
an  old  widow,  who  was  to  them  very  cruel.  In  this 
melancholy  state  of  slavery  these  children  remained 
nine  long  years,  till  Regina  reached  the  age  of  nine- 
teen, and  her  little  companion  was  eleven  years 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  79 

old.  While  captives,  their  hearts  seemed  to  have 
been  drawn  towards  what  was  good.  Regina  con- 
tinually repeated  the  verses  from  the  Bible,  and  the 
hymns  which  she  had  learnt  when  at  home,  and 
she  taught  them  to  the  little  girl.  They  often  used 
to  cheer  each  other  with  one  hymn  from  the  hymn- 
book  used  at  Halle,  in  Germany  : — 

"  Alone,  yet  not  alone  am  I, 

Though  in  this  solitude  so  drear." 

They  constantly  hoped  that  the  Lord  Jesus  would, 
some  time,  bring  them  back  to  their  Christian 
friends. 

In  1764,  the  hope  of  these  children  was  realized. 
The  merciful  providence  of  God  brought  the  English 
Colonel  Bouquet  to  the  place  where  they  were  in 
captivity.  He  conquered  the  Indians,  and  forced 
them  to  ask  for  peace.  The  first  condition  he  made 
was,  that  they  should  restore  all  the  prisoners  they 
had  taken.  Thus  the  two  poor  girls  were  released. 
More  than  four  hundred  captives  were  brought  to 
Colonel  Bouquet.  It  was  an  affecting  sight  to  see 
so  many  young  people  wretched  and  distressed. 
The  colonel  and  his  soldiers  gave  them  food  and 
clothes,  brought  them  to  the  town  of  Carlisle,  and 
published  in  the  Pennsylvania  newspapers,  that  all 
parents  who  had  lost  their  children  might  come  to 
this  place,  and,  in  case  of  their  finding  them,  they 
should  be  restored. 

Poor  Regina's  sorrowing  mother  came,  among 


80  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

many  other  bereaved  parents,  to  Carlisle ;  but,  alas  ! 
her  child  had  become  a  stranger  to  her:  Regina 
had  acquired  the  appearance  and  manner,  as  well 
as  the  language  of  the  natives.  The  poor  mother 
went  up  and  down  amongst  the  young  persons 
assembled,  but  by  no  efforts  could  she  discover  her 
daughters.  She  wept  in  bitter  grief  and  disap- 
pointment. Colonel  Bouquet  said  :  "  Do  you  recol- 
lect nothing  by  which  your  children  might  be  disco- 
vered ?"  She  answered  that  she  recollected  nothing 
but  a  hymn,  which  she  used  to  sing  with  them,  and 
which  was  as  follows  : — 

"Alone,  yet  not  alone  am  I, 

Though  in  this  solitude  so  drear ; 

I  feel  my  Saviour  always  nigh, 

He  comes  the  weary  hours  to  cheer. 

I  am  with  him,  and  he  with  me, 

Even  here  alone  I  cannot  be." 

The  colonel  desired  her  to  sing  this  hymn.  Scarcely 
had  the  mother  sung  two  lines  of  it,  when  Regina 
rushed  from  the  crowd,  began  to  sing  it  also,  and 
threw  herself  into  her  mother's  arms.  They  both 
wept  for  joy,  and  the  colonel  restored  the  daughter 
to  her  mother.  But  there  were  no  parents  or 
friends  in  search  of  the  other  little  girl ;  it  is  sup- 
posed they  were  all  murdered :  and  now  the  child 
clung  to  Regina,  and  would  not  let  her  go;  and 
Regina's  mother,  though  very  poor,  took  her  home 
with  her.  Regina  repeatedly  asked  after  "  the  book 
in  which  God  speaks  to  us."  But  her  mother  did 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  81 

not  possess  a  Bible ;  she  had  lost  everything  when 
the  natives  burned  her  house. 


THE  PERSEVERING  PURITAN. 

OLD  Mr.  Studley  was  a  lawyer  in  Kent,  of  about 
£400  a  year.  He  was  a  great  enemy  to  the  power 
of  religion,  and  a  hater  of  those  that  were  then 
called  Puritans.  His  son  followed  his  steps,  until 
the  Lord  awakened  him  as  followeth.  The  young 
man  was  at  London,  and  being  drunk  in  company, 
and  going  late  at  night  to  his  lodgings,  fell  into  a 
cellar,  and  in  the  fall  was  seized  with  horror,  for  he 
thought  he  fell  into  hell.  It  pleased  God  he  took 
little  harm,  but  lay  there  sometime  in  a  drunken 
state,  his  body  being  heated  with  what  he  drank, 
and  his  soul  awakened,  so  that  he  thought  he  was 
actually  in  hell. 

After  he  was  come  to  himself,  and  had  returned 
home  to  Kent,  he  fell  into  melancholy,  and  betook 
himself  to  read  and  study  the  Scriptures,  and  to 
much  prayer ;  which  at  length  his  father  perceived, 
and  fearing  he  would  turn  Puritan,  was  troubled, 
and  dealt  roughly  with  him,  making  him  dress  his 
horses,  which  he  humbly  and  cheerfully  submitted 
to  do.  When  his  father  perceived  he  sat  up  late  at 
night  reading  his  Bible,  he  denied  him  candle-light; 
but  being  allowed  a  fire  in  his  chamber,  he  was  wont 
to  read  by  fire-light ;  and  long  after  told  a  friend, 
0 


82  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

that  while  he  was  dressing  his  father's  horses  in  his 
frock,  and  reading  by  fire-light,  he  had  those  com- 
forts and  joys  from  the  Lord,  that  he  had  scarce 
experienced  since. 

His  father,  seeing  these  means  ineffectual,  resolved 
to  send  him  into  France,  that  by  the  lightness  of 
that  country  his  melancholy  might  be  cured.  He 
went,  and  being  at  his  own  disposal,  the  Lord 
guiding,  he  placed  himself  in  the  house  of  a  godly 
Protestant  minister ;  and  between  them,  after  they 
were  acquainted  (and  such  is  the  likeness  of  saving 
grace  in  different  subjects,  that  a  little  time  will 
serve  for  Christians  to  be  acquainted),  there  grew 
great  endearments.  He  made  great  progress  in 
speaking  the  language,  and  his  father  expecting  an 
account  from  the  gentleman  with  whom  he  lived  of 
his  speaking  French,  he  sent  it  to  him :  but  soon 
after,  he  had  orders  to  return  home.  The  father 
directing,  or  the  son  entreating,  his  landlord  came 
with  him  into  England,  and  both  were  welcomed 
at  the  father's  house,  he  not  knowing  that  his  son's 
landlord  was  a  minister.  At  last,  the  father  found 
the  French  gentleman  and  his  son  at  prayers,  wa$ 
angry,  and  sent  him  away. 

Then  Mr.  Studley,  having  interest  in  a  person 
of  honor,  a  lady  at  White-hall,  and  his  son  now 
by  his  education  being  accomplished  for  such  an 
employment,  prevailed  with  her  to  take  him  for 
her  gentleman  to  wait  upon  her  in  her  coach.  The 
father  thought  by  a  court  life  to  drive  away  his 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  83 

son's  melancholy,  as  he  called  his  seriousness  in 
religion.  The  lady  had  many  servants,  some  given 
to  swearing  and  rudeness,  whom  this  young  gentle- 
man would  take  upon  him  to  reprove  with  that 
prudence  and  gravity,  that  sin  was  abashed  before 
him.  If  any  of  the  servants  were  ill  employed,  and 
heard  him  coming,  they  would  say,  Let  us  cease,  or 
be  gone,  for  Mr.  Stud  ley  is  coming.  After  a  year's 
time,  his  father  waited  on  the  lady  to  inquire  of  his 
son's  behavior.  She  answered  that  she  was  glad 
she  had  seen  his  son,  he  had  wrought  such  a  refor- 
mation in  her  family.  She  that  had  formerly  been 
troubled  with  unruly  servants,  by  his  prudent  car- 
riage was  now  as  quiet  in  her  house,  as  if  she  had 
lived  in  a  private  family  in  the  country.  Upon  re- 
ceiving this  information  the  father  stormed,  "What, 
will  he  make  Puritans  in  Whitehall?"  He  told 
the  lady  that  was  no  place  for  his  son,  that  he 
would  take  him  with  him,  which,  to  her  trouble,  he 
did.  When  he  had  him  at  home  in  Kent,  as  his  last 
refuge,  he  thought  of  marrying  him;  and  to  this  end 
found  out  a  match  which  he  thought  fit  for  his  ends, 
to  stifle  the  work  of  religion  in  his  son.  One  even- 
ing, he  bade  him  put  on  his  best  clothes  the  next 
morning,  and  ordered  his  servant  to  make  ready 
their  horses,  and  himself  to  wait  on  them.  When 
they  were  riding  on  the  way,  he  bade  the  servant 
ride  before,  and  spoke  to  his  son  to  this  purpose : 
"  Son,  you  have  been  a  great  grief  to  me,  and  hav- 
ing used  much  means  to  reclaim  you  from  this  way 


84  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

you  are  in,  to  no  purpose,  I  have  one  more  remedy 
to  apply,  in  which,  if  you  comply  with  me,  I  shall 
settle  my  estate  upon  you,  else  you  shall  never  have 
a  groat  of  it.  I  am  riding  to  such  a  gentleman's 
house,  to  whose  daughter  I  intend  to  marry  you." 
The  son  said  little,  knowing  that  family  to  be  pro- 
fane, but  went  with  his  father,  who  before  had  been 
there  on  the  same  errand.  They  were  entertained 
nobly :  he  had  a  sight  of  the  young  lady,  a  great 
beauty,  and  fell  much  in  love  with  her.  When 
they  had  taken  their  leave,  and  were  on  their  way 
home,  the  father  asked  the  son  what  he  thought  of 
the  young  lady  ?  He  answered,  "  There  is  no  man 
living  but  must  be  taken  with  such  an  one ;"  but 
he  feared  she  would  not  like  him.  The  father  bid 
him  take  no  care  for  that.  The  wooing  was  not 
long :  at  three  weeks'  end  they  both  went  to  Lon- 
don to  buy  things  for  the  wedding. 

The  father  had  charged,  that  in  the  time  of  woo- 
ing at  the  house  of  the  young  lady's  father,  there 
should  be  no  swearing  nor  debauchery,  lest  his  son 
should  be  discouraged.  Wedding  clothes  were 
bought,  the  day  came,  and  the  young  couple  were 
married.  At  the  wedding  dinner  at  the  young 
lady's  father's  house,  the  mask  was  taken  off;  they 
fell  to  drinking  healths,  and  swearing  among  their 
cups,  and  among  others,  the  bride  swore  an  oath ; 
at  which  the  bridegroom,  as  a  man  amazed,  rose 
from  the  table,  stepped  forth,  and  went  to  the 
etable,  took  a  horse,  none  observing  it  (all  were 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  85 

busy  within),  and  rode  away,  not  knowing  what  to 
do.  He  bewailed  himself,  as  he  rode  along,  as 
undone,  and  deservedly;  for  he  had  been  so  taken 
in  love,  and  business  so  hurried  on  his  design,  he 
said  he  had  at  that  time  restrained  prayer,  and 
slackened  his  communion  with  God;  when,  as  in 
that  grand  affair  of  his  life,  he  should  have  been 
doubly  and  trebly  serious ;  and  so  might  thank  him- 
self that  he  was  utterly  undone.  He  sometimes 
thought  of  riding  quite  away;  at  last,  being  among 
the  woods,  he  led  his  horse  into  a  solitary  place, 
tied  him  to  a  tree  in  his  distress,  and  betook  himself 
to  prayer  and  tears,  in  which  he  spent  the  afternoon. 
The  providence  of  God  had  altered  his  argument  of 
prayer,  which  was  now  for  the  conversion  of  his 
now-married  wife,  or  he  was  undone.  This  he 
pressed  with  tears  a  great  part  of  the  afternoon, 
and  he  did  not  rise  from  prayer  without  good  hope 
of  being  heard. 

At  the  house  of  the  bride  there  was  hurry  enough ; 
messengers  (after  they  missed  the  bridegroom) 
were  sent  every  way.  No  news  of  him  could  be 
obtained ;  he  was  wrestling,  as  Jacob  once  was, 
at  Peniel.  In  the  evening  he  returned  home,  and 
inquiring  where  his  bride  was,  went  up  to  her,  and 
found  her  in  her  chamber  pensive  enough.  She 
asked  him  if  he  had  done  well  to  expose  her  to 
scorn  and  derision  all  the  day.  He  entreated  her 
to  sit  down  upon  a  couch  there  by  him,  and  he 
would  give  her  an  account  of  what  he  had  been 

8 


86  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

doing,  and  tell  her  the  story  of  his  whole  life,  and 
what  the  Lord,  through  grace,  had  done  for  him. 

He  went  over  the  story  here  above  mentioned 
with  many  beautiful  particulars,  with  great  affection 
and  tears,  the  flood-gates  of  which  had  been  opened 
in  the  wood,  and  often  in  the  relation  would  say, 
Through  grace,  God  did  so  and  so  for  me.  When 
he  had  told  her  his  story,  she  asked  him  what  he 
had  meant  by  those  words  so  often  used  in  the  rela- 
tion of  his  life,  "  through  grace"  so  ignorantly  had 
she  been  educated;  and  asked  him  if  he  thought 
there  was  no  grace  for  her,  who  was  so  wretched  a 
stranger  to  God.  Yes,  my  dear,  said  he,  there  is 
grace  for  you,  and  that  I  have  been  praying  for  this 
day  in  the  wood,  and  God  hath  heard  my  prayer 
and  seen  my  tears ;  let  us  now  go  together  to  him 
about  it.  Then  they  kneeled  down  by  the  couch 
side,  and  he  prayed,  and  such  weeping  and  suppli- 
cation was  there  on  both  sides,  that  when  they  were 
called  down  to  supper,  they  had  hardly  eyes  to  see 
with,  so  swelled  were  they  with  weeping.  At  supper 
the  bride's  father  (according  to  his  custom)  swore. 
The  bride  immediately  said,  "  Father,  I  beseech 
you,  swear  not."  At  which  the  bridegroom's  father 
in  a  rage  rose  from  the  table ;  "  What,"  says  he, 
"  is  the  devil  in  him  ?  Hath  he  made  his  wife  a 
Puritan  already?"  and  swore  bitterly,  that  he  would 
rather  set  fire,  with  his  own  hands,  to  the  four 
cprners  of  his  fair-built  house,  than  ever  he  should 
enjoy  it ;  and  accordingly  he  did :  for  when  he 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  87 

made  his  will,  he  gave  his  son  (when  he  should 
die)  ten  pounds,  to  cut  off  his  claim,  and  gave  hip< 
estate  to  several  persons  of  whom  a  Dr.  Reeves  was 
one  ;  and  not  long  after  died. 

Dr.  Reeves  sent  for  the  gentleman,  paid  him  his 
ten  pounds,  told  him  he  had  been  a  rebellious  son, 
and  had  disobliged  his  father,  and  might  thank 
himself.  He  received  the  money,  and  meekly 
departed. 

His  wife  (the  match*  was  huddled  up)  had  no  por- 
tion promised,  at  least  that  he  knew  of;  so  that  she 
was  also  deserted  by  his  friends,  only  having  £200 
in  her  hands  that  had  been  given  her  by  a  grand- 
mother, with  which  they  stocked  a  farm  in  Sussex, 
where  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  hath  often  been 
and  seen  her,  who  had  been  highly  bred,  in  her  red 
waistcoat  milking  her  cows.  She  was  exceedingly 
cheerful,  and  was  now  become  the  great  comforter 
and  encourager  of  her  husband.  "God,"  said  she, 
"hath  had  mercy  on  me,  and  any  pains  I  can  take 
are  pleasant." 

There  they  lived  some  years  with  much  comfort, 
and  had  several  children.  After  about  three  years, 
he  was  met  in  Kent,  on  the  road,  by  one  of  the 
tenants  of  the  estate,  and  saluted  by  the  name  of 
landlord.  "  Alas !"  said  he,  "I  am  none  of  your 
landlord."  "Yes  you  are,"  said  the  tenant,  "I 
know  more  of  the  settlement  than  you  do.  Your 
father,  though  a  cunning  lawyer,  could  not  alienate 
the  estate  from  you,  whom  he  had  made  joint  pur- 


88  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

chaser.  Myself  and  some  other  tenants  know  it, 
and  have  refused  to  pay  any  amount  to  Dr.  Reeves. 
I  have  sixteen  pounds  ready  for  you,  which  I  Avill 
pay  to  your  acquittance,  and  this  will  serve  you  to 
wage  law  with  them."  He  was  amazed  at  this 
wonderful  providence,  received  the  money,  sued  for, 
his  estate,  and  in  a  term  or  two  recovered  it.  "  He 
that  loseth  his  life  for  my  sake  and  the  Gospel's 
shall  find  it." 


DELIVERANCE  FROM  STARVATION. 

IN  1662  Oliver  Hay  wood,  one  of  the  rejected 
ministers,  was  reduced  to  the  greatest  distress.  His 
large  family  was  on  the  point  of  starvation.  One 
morning  he  sent  his  servant  to  a  gentleman's  for 
relief.  As  there  seemed  to  be  no  reasonable  en- 
couragement for  such  an  appeal,  the  servant  was 
afraid  to  go  in.  While  he  was  walking  to  and  fro 
before  the  house,  he  was  discovered  by  the  gentle- 
man, and  called  in.  Without  being  interrogated 
as  to  his  business,  five  guineas  were  placed  in  his 
hands,  with  the  remark,  that  some  person  had  left 
them  there  for  the  use  of  his  master. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  89 


FOX  RELIEVED. 

Fox,  the  martyrologist,  was  once  in  great  straits. 
As  lie  was  one  day  passing  through  the  streets  in 
great  dejection,  and  very  weak  from  long-protracted 
hunger,  an  unknown  person,  without  saying  a  word, 
slipped  some  money  in  his  hands,  sufficient  to  relieve 
his  necessities,  and  comfort  his  desponding  heart. 


TEXT  FOR  A  DISCOURAGED  MINISTER. 

AFTER  the  Rev.  John  Clark,  of  Trowbridge,  had 
been  engaged  in  the  ministry  for  a  few  years,  his 
mind  became  greatly  depressed  with  a  view  of  its 
responsibility,  a  sense  of  his  own  inability,  and  the 
want  of  more  success.  At  length  these  discourage- 
ments were  so  oppressive,  that  he  assured  some 
Christian  friends,  one  Sabbath  afternoon,  that  he 
could  preach  no  longer.  In  vain  did  they  try  to 
remove  his  difficulties,  or  to  persuade  him  at  least 
to  address  the  congregation  that  evening,  as  no 
supply  could  be  obtained.  He  declared  his  positive 
inability  to  preach  any  more.  At  this  moment  a 
pious  old  woman  applied  to  speak  to  the  minister. 
IJeing  admitted,  she  requested  him  to  preach  from 
that  text,  "Then  I  said,  I  will  speak  no  more  in 
his  name :  but  his  word  was  in  my  heart  as  a 


90  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

burning  fire  shut  up  in  my  bones,  and  I  was  weary 
with  forbearing,  and  I  could  not  stay."  (Jer.  xx.  9.) 
She  stated  that  she  did  not  know  where  the  words 
were,  but  that  her  mind  was  so  much  impressed 
with  them,  that  she  could  not  forbear  to  request 
him  to  preach  from  them  that  evening.  Being 
satisfied  that  she  was  entirely  unacquainted  with 
the  circumstances  which  had  just  transpired,  Mr. 
Clark  was  assured  that  Providence  had  thus  inter- 
posed that  he  should  continue  his  ministry.  He 
preached  that  evening  from  the  text  thus  given, 
and  never  afterwards  was  greatly  distressed  on  the 
subject. 


REMARKABLE  ANSWER  TO  PRAYER. 

THE  following  circumstance  was  related  to  me  by 
the  late  Brother  P.,  who  was  one  of  the  most  deeply 
pious  men  I  ever  knew,  and  for  many  years  a  class- 
leader  in  one  of  the  Methodist  churches  in  Phila- 
delphia. This  brother  and  myself  were  conversing 
one  day  on  God's  dealings  toward  his  children,  and 
how  far  we  might  expect  the  interposition  of  Divine 
Providence  in  answer  to  prayer,  in  the  prosecution 
of  the  ordinary  business  of  life,  when,  with  tears 
of  joy  rolling  down  his  cheeks,  he  related  to  me 
the  following : — 

After  I  had  served  out  my  time,  and  had  mar- 
ried, which  was  about  thirty-five  years  ago,  I  moved 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  91 

with  my  little  family  to  Wilmington,  about  thirty 
miles  below  Philadelphia,  and  opened  a  small  jew- 
elry store,  which  was  my  business,  trusting  in  God 
to  prosper  me.  But,  for  several  years,  business 
was  dull,  and  frequently,  for  weeks,  I  would  not 
take  in  enough  to  keep  my  family  in  bread.  This 
state  of  things  continued  so  long,  that  I  began  to 
be  discouraged,  and  to  look  around  for  some  way 
of  escape,  but  none  appeared  to  offer.  To  make 
my  difficulties  worse,  if  possible,  a  very  deep  snow 
had  fallen ;  it  was  midwinter,  and,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  watch  or  two  to  repair,  I  had  taken 
nothing  in  for  many  days.  The  wants  of  myself 
and  family  were  pressing  upon  me,  and  two  notes 
were  coming  due  in  Philadelphia  in  a  few  days  for 
over  $400.  I  was  almost  beside  myself.  I  tried 
to  borrow  of  my  friends ;  but  those  who  would 
have  gladly  assisted  me,  were,  in  consequence  of 
the  stringency  of  the  times,  unable  to  do  so.  I 
then  tried  to  get  the  notes  renewed,  but  this  was 
positively  refused ;  so  that,  apparently,  my  little  all 
in  a  few  days  would  be  sold  out  by  the  sheriff.  In 
this  emergency  I  resolved  to  lay  my  case  before  the 
Lord,  and,  in  order  to  do  this,  I  set  apart  a  day  for 
fasting  and  prayer.  This  was  on  Friday ;  the  next 
Monday  the  payment  of  the  notes  fell  due ;  and 
my  creditors  told  me  plainly,  if  they  were  not  paid 
they  would  immediately  proceed  against  me. 

Under  these  discouraging  circumstances,  I  arose 
very  early  on  the  morning  which  I  had  devoted  to 


92  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

prayer  and  fasting,  and,  locking  myself  in  my  room, 
commenced  to  pray.  All  day  I  stayed  there ;  now 
reading  some  encouraging  chapter  in  God's  blessed 
book,  then  earnestly  pressing  my  case  at  the  throne 
of  grace.  Having  thus  passed  the  day,  in  the  twi- 
light of  the  evening  I  received  what  I  believed  to 
be  a  clear  evidence  that  the  Lord  had  heard  my 
prayer,  and  that  deliverance  was  at  hand.  I  left 
the  room  happy  in  God.  Frequently  on  Saturday, 
and  also  on  the  Sabbath,  would  my  mind  turn  to 
my  approaching  difficulties ;  but,  if  I  attempted  to 
pray  about  it,  the  same  evidence  would  be  renewed 
that  deliverance  was  at  hand.  On  Monday  morn- 
ing I  arose  three  hours  before  day.  It  had  been 
snowing,  and  everything  outward  was  dreary.  I 
fell  on  my  knees,  and  attempted  to  lay  my  case 
before  the  Lord  again,  when,  with  such  power  that 
I  was  thrown  flat  on  my  face  on  the  floor,  the  evi- 
dence was  again  renewed — deliverance  is  at  hand. 
I  went  to  my  store,  made  a  fire,  and  sat  down 
behind  the  counter.  It  was  now  nearly  daylight. 
I  would  here  state,  that  in  my  window  there  hung, 
as  a  show-set,  an  antiquated  set  of  silver-ware,  of 
English  make,  very  heavy,  having  the  English  coat 
of  arms  engraved  on  it.  It  had  been  owned  by  my 
last  employer  for  some  twenty  years,  and  by  me 
for  several.  No  one  ever  asked  its  price :  it  was 
simply  in  the  window  for  a  show.  As  the  day 
began  to  dawn,  I  heard  the  creak  of  a  wagon,  and, 
on  looking  out,  I  perceived  an  old-fashioned  gig 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  93 

drive  up  and  stop,  when  a  tall  and  venerable-look- 
ing man,  whose  locks  were  almost  as  white  as  the 
snow  that  lay  on  the  ground,  stepped  down,  and, 
after  looking  in  my  window  for  a  moment,  entered 
the  store,  and  immediately  asked  the  price  of  the 
silver-set  in  the  window.  I  told  him,  with  a  falter- 
ing voice,  five  hundred  dollars.  He  asked  me,  with 
a  benevolent  look,  if  I  had  a  box  that  would  hold 
it ;  and,  on  my  answering  in  the  affirmative,  he 
told  me  he  would  take  it.  In  a  few  minutes  it  was 
safely  boxed,  and  put  into  his  gig;  the  money  in 
tiold  paid  down,  and  he,  with  a  smile,  drove  off. 
No  one  was  ever  able  to  tell  from  whence  he  came, 
or  whither  he  went ;  nor  have  I  ever  been  able  to 
tell  to  this  day.  Suffice  it  to  say,  I  procured  a  good 
horse,  mounted  him,  and,  a  few  minutes  before 
three  o'clock,  was  in  Philadelphia,  paid  my  notes, 
and  returned  the  next  day  to  my  family,  strong  in 
faith,  giving  glory  to  God. 


SINGULAR  ANSWERS  TO  PRAYER. 

THE  person  to  whom  this  anecdote  refers,  when 
speaking  to  the  writer  of  the  goodness  of  God,  said  : 
God  never'  gave  me  what  I  wanted.  He  always 
gave  me  more.  As  a  proof,  I  will  tell  you  the  fol- 
lowing anecdote : — 

When  I  married,  I  was  a  working  man,  and  con- 
sequently, I  had  not  much  money  to  spare.  In 


94  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

about  three  months  after  my  marriage,  I  fell  ill, 
and  my  illness  continued  for  more  than  nine 
months.  At  that  period,  I  was  in  great  distress. 
I  owed  a  sum  of  money,  and  had  no  means  to  pay 
it :  it  must  be  paid  on  a  certain  day,  or  I  must  go 
to  jail.  I  had  no  food  for  myself  or  wife  ;  and,  in 
this  distress,  I  went  up  to  my  room,  and  took  my 
Bible.  I  got  down  on  my  knees,  and  opened  it, 
laid  my  fingers  on  several  of  the  promises,  and 
claimed  them  as  mine.  I  said  :  "  Lord,  this  is  thine 
own  word  of  promise  :  I  claim  thy  promises."  I 
endeavored  to  lay  hold  of  them  by  faith.  I  wrestled 
with  God  for  some  time  in  this  way.  I  got  up  off 
my  knees,  and  walked  about  some  time.  I  then 
went  to  bed,  and  took  my  Bible,  and  opened  it  on 
these  words  :  "  Call  upon  me  in  the  time  of  trouble  : 
I  will  deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me."  I 
said :  "  It  is  enough,  Lord."  I  knew  deliverance 
would  come,  and  I  praised  God  with  my  whole 
heart.  Whilst  in  this  frame  of  mind  I  heard  a 
knock  at  the  door.  I  went  and  opened  it,  and  a 
man  handed  me  a  letter.  I  turned  to  look  at  the 
letter ;  and  when  I  looked  up  again,  the  man  was 
gone.  The  letter  contained  the  sum  I  wanted,  and 
five  shillings  over.  It  is  now  eighteen  years  ago : 
and  I  never  knew  who  sent  it :  God  only  knows. 
Thus  God  delivered  me  out  of  all  my  distress.  To 
Him  be  all  the  praise ! 

G.  A.  was  a  very  intimate  acquaintance  of  mine, 
when  he  was  living  in  the  city  of  C .     I  heard 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  95 

the  story  which  I  am  about  to  relate  from  his  own 
lips.  He  had  been  out  of  employment  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  and  was,  in  consequence,  so  circum- 
stanced as  only  to  be  enabled  to  keep  himself  from 
dying  of  hunger;  in  fact,  he  was  left  with  but 
eightpence  halfpenny  in  the  world.  Nor  had  he 
one  friend,  but  the  Friend  that  "  sticketh  closer  than 
a  brother."  He  went  to  chapel,  thanking  God  for 
that  which  was  past,  and  trusting  him  for  that 
which  was  to  come,  and  heard  Dr.  Newton  preach 
a  sermon  in  aid  of  a  society  that  was  under  per- 
plexing circumstances.  Sensibly  feeling  the  solemn 
appeal  which  the  Rev.  Doctor  made  to  the  liber- 
ality of  the  audience  in  behalf  of  the  society,  he  at 
once  gave  the  whole  of  his  eightpence  halfpenny. 
But  he  still  trusted  in  Him  who  delivered  the 
Israelites  out  of  the  hands  of  Pharaoh.  He  rose 
next  morning  penniless.  But  very  soon  after  ter- 
minating the  duties  of  his  closet,  a  message  came 
to  him,  saying  that  he  was  to  commence  work  that 
morning.  He  has  been  in  constant  employment 
ever  since ;  and  God,  in  his  infinite  goodness  and 
mercy,  has  raised  him  to  a  state  of  respectability. 
Truly  the  words  of  the  Lord  were  verified  in  this 
man  :  "  Them  that  honor  me  I  will  honor."  1  Sam. 
ii.  30. 


96  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 


UNEXPECTED  DELIVERANCE. 

ONE  day,  having  business  to  transact  with  a 
person  living  in  Broad  Street,  I  was  standing  at 
his  door  knocking  for  admittance.  I  was  not  heard 
until  I  had  used  the  knocker  a  number  of  times. 
During  this  short  interval,  an  important  particular, 
which  demanded  of  me  five  dollars  more  than  I 
possessed,  was  brought  to  my  mind  with  great 
force.  A  sigh  of  regret  escaped  me,  followed  by 
an  ejaculatory  prayer  for  relief.  Turning  round  I 
saw  a  man,  an  Englishman,  and  an  apparent 
stranger,  walking  fast  down  the  street  towards  me. 
He  came  directly  up  to  me,  and  with  his  hand 
thrust  something  into  my  vest  pocket  without  say- 
ing a  word.  I  felt  in  my  pocket  and  found  he  had 
deposited  a  guinea,  which  was  sufficient  for  my 
present  need.  He  told  me  afterwards  that  he  had 
fallen  heir  to  an  estate  in  England,  and  as  he  had 
realized  spiritual  benefit  from  my  conversation  on 
the  subject  of  religion  with  some  of  his  friends,  he 
wrished  to  show  me  a  token  of  kindness  for  it,  and 
therefore  gave  me  the  gold. — Life  of  Scarlett. 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  97 


WONDERFUL  DELIVERANCE. 

THE  Watchman  and  Reflector  furnishes  the  fol- 
lowing extraordinary  incident : — 

A  clergyman,  whom  I  personally  knew,  was 
charged  by  a  woman  with  crime.  A  council,  con- 
sisting of  seven  clergymen,  with  other  persons,  was 
convened.  Two  days  were  consumed  by  a  long 
detail  of  circumstances,  all  of  which  bore  the  sem- 
blance of  guilt,  and  which  were  sustained  by  the 
solemn  affidavit  and  oath  of  the  accusing  party. 
Some  time  about  ten  o'clock  of  the  closing  day,  the 
evidence  being  all  adverse,  although  the  minister 
solemnly  protested  his  perfect  innocency,  a  resolu- 
tion was  introduced  to  depose  him.  To  this,  he 
requested  simply  that  the  action  upon  it  might  be 
deferred  till  the  next  morning ;  which  request  was 
granted.  He  then  proposed  that  the  night  should 
be  devoted  to  special  prayer,  saying,  "  I  believe 
there  is  a  righteous  God  in  heaven,  and  who,  in  his 
providence,  governs  upon  earth.  I  believe  I  am 
his  servant,  and  am  willing  to  commit  my  case  to 
him,  after  such  an  exercise  in  prayer."  The  clergy- 
men were  much  exhausted,  nevertheless  two  of  them 
agreed  to  his  proposition.  He  proposed  that  they 
should  occupy  distinct  rooms  till  twelve.  This  being 
done,  they  met  for  social  supplication.  The  two  re- 
marked as  they  met,  one  to  the  other,  "  I  have  had 
7 


98  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

remarkable  freedom  in  prayer,  and  I  believe  light 
will  beam  from  some  quarter,  I  know  not  where." 
While  they  were  in  prayer  a  loud  rap  was  heard 
upon  the  door  of  the  house.  A  messenger  from  the 
dwelling  of  the  accuser  was  there,  with  an  urgent 
entreaty  that  they  would  come  immediately  thither. 
On  entering  her  apartment,  she  addressed  them,  say- 
ing, "  I  have  sinned.  He  is  perfectly  innocent."  By 
circumstances  which  she  related,  all  were  convinced 
that  she  then  told  the  truth.  She  had  been  sud- 
denly prostrated  by  disease,  which  terminated 
fatally.  Her  statements  were  given  to  the  public. 
Great  fear  fell  upon  the  people.  A  most  powerful 
revival  of  religion  ensued.  The  man  of  God  was 
heard  with  great  effect  long  after,  as  he  ministered 
at  the  altar,  living  in  the  respect  of  all,  and  died 
in  the  sweetness  of  Christian  assurance,  leaning  his 
head  upon  the  arm  of  Jesus.  And  to  this  day  many 
remember  well  the  emphasis  with  which  these  words 
were  quoted  in  that  region ;  namely,  "  Verily  there 
is  a  reward  for  the  righteous ;  verily  he  is  a  God 
that  judge th  in  the  earth." 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCE. 

God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 

His  wonders  to  perform  ; 
He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea, 

And  rides  upon  the  storm. — COWPER. 

THERE  are  few  employments  in  which  we  can 
engage,  more  calculated  to  raise  our  hearts  in  gra- 
titude to  God,  or  encourage  us  to  exercise  resigna- 
tion to  his  will,  than  an  enlarged  view  of  the 
dispensations  of  his  providence.  Who  can  turn  to 
the  sacred  volume,  and  read  the  histories  of  Joseph, 
of  Ruth,  or  of  Esther,  without  recognising  in  the 
events  connected  with  them  the  Divine  hand,  and 
saying  with  the  devout  Psalmist,  "  what  time  I  ani 
afraid  I  will  trust  in  thee  ?"  0,  it  is  a  delightful 
thought  to  the  Christian,  that  all  the  affairs  of  the 
world  are  under  the  direction  of  Him  who  is  the 
friend  of  those  who  love  him,  and  who  has  engaged 
that  "  all  things  shall  work  together  for  their  good." 
This  holds  true  in  reference  to  the  most  painful  and 
adverse  events,  as  well  as  those  of  a  pleasing  and 
prosperous  kind. 

The  reader,  in  all  probability,  has  long  been 
acquainted  with  the  history  of  the  hymn  from 
which  I  have  selected  a  stanza  as  motto  for  this 
paper;  and  has  often  admired  the  good  hand  of 
God,  that  in  so  singular  a  manner  delivered  his 
dejected  servant  from  self-destruction.  The  narra- 


100  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

tive  I  have  now  to  give,  in  some  of  its  parts,  is  not 
very  dissimilar  to  that.  The  facts  I  received  but  a 
few  evenings  ago  from  an  amiable  lady  of  my  con- 
gregation, and  may  be  fully  depended  on,  though  I 
am  not  at  liberty  to  mention  names.  I  will  give 
the  account  as  nearly  as  possible  in  her  own  words  : 
"  One  afternoon,  in  the  winter  of  about  the  year 

of  1808,  I  had  occasion  to  go  from  F to 

S ,  a  distance  of  about  two  miles,  and  was 

unexpectedly  detained  till  late  in  the  evening,  when 
I  set  out  to  return  home  alone.  The  night  was  very 
frosty  and  cold,  and  the  ground  was  covered  with  a 
deep  snow :  when  I  had  proceeded  some  short  dis- 
tance on  the  road,  I  was  stopped  by  two  Irishmen, 
who  were,  I  believe,  employed  in  some  of  the  mili- 
tary works  in  the  neighborhood.  They  asked  me 

if  I  was  going  to  F :  I  gave  them  an  evasive 

answer,  and  proceeded,  not  a  little  sensible  of  the 
dangerous  circumstances' in  which  I  was  placed.  I 
went  on  a  little  distance,  when  they  again  accosted 
me,  and  once  more*  I  found  means  to  give  them  an 
evasive  reply.  They  passed  on  before  me,  and  hid 
themselves  in  the  hedge,  and  as  I  came  near  to 
them,  I  heard  them  engaged  in  a  conversation  that 
roused  all  my  fears ;  I  paused  a  moment,  and  then 

resolved   to  return  to  S with  all  possible 

speed.  I  set  off  to  run,  with  one  of  these  men 
almost  immediately  behind  me.  Once  I  fell  on  the 
ice  almost  exhausted,  but  remembering  that  my 
very  life  was  at  stake,  I  arose,  and  with  aid  com- 


REMARK  AI5LK    PROVIDENCES.  101 

municated  from  on  high,  I  pursued  my  journey  till 
I  reached  the  turnpike  house,  Jnto  which  I  ran,  and 
fell  in  a  state  of  exhaustion  into  one  of  the  chairs. 
At  some  times  during  the  pursuit  the  man  was  not 
more  than  three  yards  behind  me. 

"In  about  two  hours  I  was  in  some  degree 
recovered  from  my  fright;  and  that  I  might  not 

alarm  my  friends  at  S with  my  return,  I 

resolved  to  spend  the  night  with  a  pious  old  lady, 
a  member  of  your  church,  who  at  that  time  was 

keeping  the  house  of  a  baronet  in  S ,  who  was 

then,  with  all  his  family,  absent  from  home. 

"Late  at  night,  probably  at  ten  o'clock,  I 
arrived  at  the  house,  and  still  terrified  with  what 
I  had  passed  through,  I  knocked  at  the  different 
doors  with  all  my  might,  but  it  was  long  before  I 
received  an  answer.  At  length  the  old  lady,  who 
was  quite  alone,  came  to  a  small  back  door  situated 
among  the  stables,  to  inquire  who  was  there.  I 
mentioned  my  name,  and  she  opened  the  door  for 
my  admission ;  I  related  the  circumstances  in  which 
I  was  placed,  and  she  begged  me  to  stay  over  night, 
to  which  I  very  cheerfully  assented,  and  accom- 
panied her  into  the  house. 

"As  we  passed  through  the  different  parts  of 
the  house,  I  could  not  help  remarking  the  circum- 
stance, that  every  door,  even  those  we  had  to  enter, 
and  from  which  I  supposed  the  old  lady  had  just 
passed,  were  all  carefully  made  secure,  nor  was  I  a 
little  surprised  to  find  that  she  had  no  refreshment 


102  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

to  offer  me,  except  a  little  bread.  But  as  my  heart 
overflowed  with  gratitude  for  the  deliverance  I  had 
experienced,  I  felt  but  little  concern  on  that  ac- 
count. We  retired  to  rest,  and  in  the  morning  I 
left  my  friend  with  the  feelings  of  thankfulness  to 
the  great  Preserver  of  my  life,  for  the  escape  I  had 
on  the  past  night,  which  I  can  never  forget. 

"  From  this  period  I  could  not  but  be  struck  with 
the  attention  and  kindness  which  the  good  old  lady 
manifested  towards  me.  She  seemed  almost  to  re- 
gard me  with  an  idolatrous  regard,  and  I  sometimes 
felt  grieved  at  the  trouble  she  gave  herself  to  pro- 
mote my  comfort  whenever  I  paid  her  a  visit. 

"Mark  the  sequel  of  these  events. — About  the 
year  1818,  as  her  husband  was  dead,  it  was  judged 

desirable  that  she  should  leave  S to  go  to 

reside  with  her  son  in  London.  She  came,  there- 
fore, to  take  her  leave  of  me ;  and,  after  some 

general  conversation,  she  said — '  Miss ,  I  have 

somewhat  particular  to  say  to  you.  Do  you  remem- 
ber coming  to  Sir 's  house  to  me  ten 

years  ago  ?' — '  Certainly  I  do,'  I  replied ;  ( nor  can 
I  ever  forget  the  deliverance  I  then  experienced.' 
— '  Do  you  remember  that  you  found  all  the  doors 
bolted  and  barred  ? — that  I  came  to  you  at  a  door 
among  the  stables, — and  that  I  had  nothing  to  offer 
you  for  your  supper  but  a  morsel  of  bread  ?' — '  Yes, 
I  remember  it  all.'  Here  she  burst  into  tears,  and 
as  sooii  as  she  could,  she  told  me,  that  at  that  time 
she  had  long  labored  under  very  heavy  depression 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  103 

of  spirits ;  that  she  had  been  tempted  to  destroy 
herself; — and  that  when  I  went  to  the  house,  she 
had  fastened  all  the  doors,  and  was  passing  down 
the  yard  with  a  determination  to  drown  herself  in 
the  sea;  but  that  my  coming  in  the  way  I  did,  had 
clearly  shown  her  the  interposing  hand  of  God  had 
removed  the  temptation,  and  scattered  the  gloomy 
feelings  of  her  mind.  She  added,  that  she  had 
ever  since  endured  much  pain  on  account  of  the 
painful  event : — that  as  she  was  not  likely  to  live 
very  long,  and  in  all  probability  should  never  see 
me  again,  she  had  come  to  the  determination,  how- 
ever painful  the  task,  to  disclose  the  whole  affair, 
begging  me  never  to  relate  the  circumstance  as  long 
as  she  lived.  I  acceded  to  her  request,  nor  was  the 
affair  known,  even  to  her  own  family,  till  that 
event  had  taken  place. 

"  A  few  months  after  this  conversation  had  taken 
place,  she  passed,  with  a  hope  full  of  immortality 
and  joy,  very  suddenly,  from  a  world  of  sorrow 
and  temptation,  to  enter  on  a  state  of  bliss,  where, 
I  doubt  not,  she  shall  for  ever  enjoy  all  the  blessed- 
ness connected  with  eternal  life." 

Such  are  the  leading  circumstances  of  the  case 
as  detailed  to  me.  It  needs  no  comment.  How 
many  such  providences  occur  to  prevent  greater 
evils,  will  only  be  known  by  us  at  the  great  day, 
when  all  events  shall  be  disclosed.  If  the  relation 
of  these  circumstances  should  be  the  happy  means 
of  leading  any  of  the  children  of  distress  to  east 


104  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

their  burdens  on  the  Lord,  and  should  enable  them 
to  resist  the  temptations  of  Satan,  and  to  triumph 
over  bodily  and  mental  disease,  the  purposes  for 
which  they  are  mentioned  will  be  fully  answered. 


SEASONABLE  RELIEF. 

THE  following  is  from  the  Life  of  Thomas  Cran- 
field  :— 

The  year  1789  was  one  of  peculiar  suffering,  owing 
to  a  great  stagnation  of  business.  His  children 
often  cried  for  bread,  when  there  was  none  to  give 
them.  His  distress  of  mind,  under  such  circum 
stances,  can  only  be  conceived  by  those  who  have 
endured  a  like  affliction;  but  he  was  enabled  to 
wrestle  hard  with  God  in  prayer,  and  he  found  him 
faithful  to  his  promise — "  Call  upon  me  in  the  day 
of  trouble,  and  I  will  deliver  thee."  Sometimes, 
however,  when  his  mind  was  filled  with  doubts  and 
fears,  his  affectionate  wife  would  inspire  him  with 
fresh  confidence,  by  bidding  him  to  remember  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord  towards  them  in  former  days, 
and  would  repeat  to  him  the  verse — 

"His  love  in  times  past  forbids  me  to  think 
He'll  leave  me  at  last  in  trouble  to  sink  ; 
Each  sweet  Ebenezer  I  have  in  review 
Confirms  his  good  pleasure  to  help  me  quite  through." 

On  one  of  these  occasions  he  had  remained  at 


HEMAHKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  105 

home  the  whole  of  the  morning,  praying  with  his  wife 
and  children.  Dinner  time  arrived,  but  they  had 
no  food  to  place  upon  the  table.  His  confidence  in 
God  was,  however,  unabated.  "  Let  us  pray  again," 
he  said,  "  for  the  Lord  will  answer  prayer."  They 
did  so,  and  scarcely  had  arisen  from  their  knees, 
when  a  knock  was  heard  at  the  door.  It  was  a 
female  friend,  a  pious  woman,  who  owed  him  a 
.shilling.  "Come  in,"  said  Mr.  C.,  "  thou  blessed 
of  the  Lord  !  I  know  what  you  are  come  for."t  "  Do 
you  ?"  said  she ;  "  then  it  is  almost  more  than  I 
know."  "  Why,"  said  he,  "  you  have  some  money 
for  me.  I  am  in  necessity,  and  the  Lord  has  sent 
you  to  relieve  me."  "  Well,"  said  the  woman,  "  that 
is  singular  enough ;  I  was  sitting  at  home  by  myself, 
when  the  thought  struck  me  that  I  would  go  and 
see  Mr.  Cranfield.  I  had  got  part  of  the  way  on 
my  journey,  when  I  remembered  I  owed  you  a 
shilling,  so  I  turned  back  for  it,  and  here  it  is." 
He  took  the  money,  exclaiming  to  his  wife,  "  0 
what  a  blessed  thing  it  is  to  live  by  faith  upon  the 
Son  of  God !  Who  ever  trusted  in  him,  and  AY  as 
confounded  ?" 


SECTION   II. 

Editf  sflit  bn  tlnmtdfifmit  SUcnk 

o_>  ^  v      >— ^  ^/ 


THE  FRENCH  ARMAMENT. 

THE  destruction  of  the  French  armament,  under 
the  Duke  d'Anville,  in  the  year  1746,  ought  to  be 
remembered  with  gratitude  and  admiration  by  every 
inhabitant  of  this  country.  This  fleet  consisted  of 
forty  ships  of  war ;  was  destined  for  the  destruction 
of  New  England,  was  of  sufficient  force  to  render 
that  destruction,  in  the  ordinary  progress  of  things, 
certain ;  and  sailed  from  Chebucto,  in  Nova  Scotia, 
for  this  purpose. 

In  the  mean  time,  our  pious  fathers,  apprised  of 
their  danger,  and  feeling  that  their  only  safety  was 
in  God,  had  appointed  a  season  of  fasting  and  prayer 
to  be  observed  in  all  their  churches.  "  While  Mr. 
Prince  was  officiating"  in  this  church  (Old  South 
Church)  on  this  fast  day,  and  praying  most  fervently 
to  God,  to  avert  the  dreaded  calamity,  a  sudden 
gust  of  wind  nrose  (the  day  had  till  now  been  per- 
fectly clear  and  calm),  so  violent  as  to  cause  a  loud 

(100) 


HEMA11KABLE    PKOVIDENCES.  107 

cluttering  of  the  windows.  The  reverend  pastor 
paused  in  his  prayer,  and  looking  round  upon  the 
congregation  with  a  countenance  of  hope,  he  again 
commenced,  and  with  great  devotional  ardor,  sup- 
plicated the  Almighty  God  to  cause  that  wind  to 
frustrate  the  object  of  our  enemies,  and  save  the 
country  from  conquest  and  popery.  A  tempest 
ensued  in  which  the  greater  part  of  the  French 
fleet  was  wrecked  on  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia. 
The  Duke  d'Anville  the  principal  general,  and  the 
second  in  command,  both  committed  suicide.  Many 
died  with  disease,  and  thousands  were  consigned  to 
a  watery  grave.  The  small  number  that  remained 
alive,  returned  to  France  without  health  and  with- 
out spirits.  "  And  the  enterprise  was  abandoned, 
and  never  again  resumed." 


VESSEL  SAVED  BY  A  DOLPHIN. 

MR.  COLSTONE,  an  eminent  merchant  of  Bristol, 
who  lived  a  century  ago,  was  remarkable  for  his 
liberality  to  the  poor,  and  equally  distinguished  for 
his  success  in  commerce.  The  providence  of  God 
seemed  to  smile,  in  a  peculiar  manner,  on  the  con- 
cerns of  one  who  made  so  good  a  use  of  his  affluence. 
It  has  been  said  that  he  never  insured,  nor  ever  lost 
a  ship.  Once,  indeed,  a  vessel  belonging  to  him,  on 
her  voyage  home  struck  on  a  rock,  and  immediately 
sprang  a  leak,  by  which  so  much  water  was  admitted 


108  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

as  to  threaten  speedy  destruction.  Means  were 
instantly  adopted  to  save  the  vessel,  but  all  seemed 
ineffectual,  as  the  water  rose  rapidly.  In  a  short 
time.,  however,  the  leak  stopped  without  any  appa- 
rent cause,  and  the  vessel  reached  Bristol  in  safety. 
On  examining  her  bottom,  a  fish,  said  to  be  a  dol- 
phin, was  found  fast  wedged  in  the  fracture  made 
by  the  rock  when  she  struck ;  which  had  prevented 
any  water  from  entering  during  the  remainder  of 
the  voyage.  As  a  memorial  of  this  singular  event, 
the  figure  of  a  dolphin  is  carved  on  the  staves  which 
are  carried  in  procession,  on  public  occasions,  by  the 
children  who  are  educated  at  the  charity  schools 
founded  by  Mr.  Colstone. 


A  PRAYER-ANSWERING  GOD. 

A  COMPANY  of  Moravian  missionaries  were  on 
their  voyage  from  London  to  St.  Thomas,  on  board 
the  ship  Britannia.  Nothing  remarkable  occurred 
till  they  discovered  a  pirate. 

The  pirate  ship  approached  till  it  came  within 
gun-shot  of  the  Britannia;  and  then,  from  the 
cannon  ranged  along  its  deck,  began  to  pour  out 
a  heavy  fire.  There  were  grappling  irons  on 
board,  or  strong  sharp  hooks,  fixed  to  long  ropes 
ready  to  throw  into  the  Britannia,  and  hold  her 
fast,  while  the  pirates  should  board  her,  and  do 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  109 

their  work  of  destruction.  It  seemed  that  there  was 
little  chance  of  escape  from  such  an  enemy.  But 
the  captain,  whose  heart  was  sinking  at  the  fearful 
prospect  before  him,  did  not  know  what  powerful 
helpers  he  had  below,  in  the  few  peaceable  mission- 
aries, whose  fervent  prayers  were  then  ascending, 
through  the  noise  of  the  fight,  to  heaven. 

The  moment  the  pirates  tried  to  throw  their 
grappling  irons  across  to  the  other  ship,  their  own 
was  tossed  violently,  and  the  men  who  held  the 
ropes  were  thrown  by  force  into  the  sea.  Vexed 
by  this  disaster,  the  pirate  captain  sent  others  who 
shared  the  same  fate.  Seeing  that  he  could  not 
succeed  in  this  manner,  he  resolved  to  fire  at  the 
Britannia,  till  she  sunk  with  repeated  blows.  But 
this  effect  strangely  failed  also ;  for  the  balls  missed 
their  aim,  and  fell  into  the  sea.  The  smoke  of  the 
frequent  charges  was  very  dense,  and  hung  about 
the  vessels  for  some  minutes,  hiding  them  from  each 
other's  view.  At  last  a  sudden  gust  of  wind  cleared 
it  away ;  and,  to  the  amazement  of  the  pirate  cap- 
tain, the  Britannia  was  seen  at  a  distance  with  all 
her  sails  spread  to  the  wind,  speeding  swiftly  away 
from  the  attack,  and  they  were  forced  in  great 
anger  to  abandon  their  cruel  purposes.  Thus  won- 
derfully had  God  appeared,  and  saved  the  vessel  in 
answer  to  prayer.  The  missionaries'  prayers  had 
been  greatly  honored,  but  they  were  to  have  a  fur- 
ther fruit  still. 

Five  years  afterward,  during  which  the  mission- 

10 


110  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCE?. 

aries  had  been  diligently  preaching  the  Gospel  at 
St.  Thomas,  they,  and  the  other  missionaries  on 
the  island,  agreed  to  meet  together  to  celebrate  the 
anniversary  of  their  deliverance  from  the  pirates, 
and  to  thank  God  for  his  other  mercies.  As  they 
sat  together,  word  was  brought  that  a  stranger 
wished  to  speak  to  them,  and,  at  their  permis- 
sion, a  tall  man  entered,  with  fine  bold  features, 
and  a  bold  expression  of  face.  The  missionaries 
wondered,  and  one  asked  what  was  the  stranger's 
business  with  them. 

"  First  answer  me  one  question,"  said  he.  "Are 
you  the  men  who  came  to  this  island  five  years  ago, 
in  the  English  ship  Britannia?" 

"  We  are,"  replied  the  missionary  who  had 
spoken. 

"And  you  were  attacked  upon  the  sea  by 
pirates  ?" 

"  Exactly,  but  why  are  these  questions  ?" 

"  Because,"  answered  the  stranger,  "  I  am  the 
captain  who  commanded  the  vessel  which  attacked 
you."  Then  the  missionaries  looked  at  one  another 
in  silent  wonder,  as  their  former  enemy  continued  : 
"  The  miraculous  way  in  which  your  vessel  escaped 
was  the  cause  of  my  own  salvation  from  the  power 
of  sin,  through  faith  in  Christ." 

It  would  be  too  long  to  tell  you  all  his  words ; 
but  you  may  imagine  with  what  unspeakable  joy 
the  missionaries  listened  to  his  tale,  as  he  went  on 
to  tell  them  how,  in  his  vexation  at  their  strange 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  Ill 

escape,  lie  had  made  inquiries  for  the  captain  of 
the  Britannia,  and  learned  that  it  was  through  the 
prayers  of  the  Moravian  missionaries  of  St.  Thomas, 
and  how,  not  understanding  how  a  vessel  could  be 
saved  from  pirates  by  prayer,  he  resolved  to  know 
the  Moravian  brothers.  He  sold  his  vessel,  and  in 
the  United  States  of  America  one  day  visited  a 
Moravian  chapel,  and  heard  a  sermon  from  the 
words,  "  Work  out  your  own  salvation  with  fear 
and  trembling."  He  sought  the  preacher,  and 
heard  from  him  the  way  of  salvation  through 
Jesus  Christ,  "and  thus,"  he  concluded,  "from 
a  pirate  captain  I  am  a  poor  sinner,  justified  by 
the  grace  and  mercy  of  Christ,  and  my  chief  hope 
has  been  that  I  might  one  day  be  able  to  see  you, 
and  relate  to  you  my  miraculous  conversion.  This 
joy  is  granted  to  me  to-day." 

He  ceased,  and  you  may  imagine  the  feelings  of 
the  missionaries.  They  were  met  to  celebrate  their 
deliverance  from  the  pirates  on  that  day  five  years 
ago,  through  prayer,  and  there  stood  before  them 
the  pirate  captain  himself,  not  fierce  now,  but 
humble  and  pious,  who  traced  his  own  deliverance 
from  the  bondage  of  Satan  to  the  same  prayer  that 
rescued  them  from  him !  They  all  knelt  down 
together  before  God,  and  thanked  him  for  his  great 
mercies. 


112  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 


THE  PIOUS  CAPTAIN  AND  THE  PIRATE  SHIP. 

CAPTAIN  S ,  of  W ,  Massachusetts,  relates, 

that  on  a  voyage  to  Brazil,  in  the  spring  of  18'->o, 
while  sailing  near  Cape  St.  Koque,  he  descried,  one 
morning,  in  the  distance,  a  suspicious-looking  ves- 
sel, under  a  press  of  canvas,  standing  toward  him. 
From  several  circumstances,  he  was  led  to  imagine 
that  she  was  occupied  by  pirates,  who  were  ad- 
vancing to  plunder  and  murder.  Still,  not  being 
certain  of  the  fact,  he  concluded  to  keep  the  vessel 
on  her  course.  The  suspicious  schooner  continued 
to  gain  upon  him,  and  soon,  by  the  help  of  the 
glass,  he  saw  her  deck  covered  with  men,  and  a 
long  eighteen  pounder  on  a  swivel,  so  prepared  as 
to  turn  in  any  direction  desired.  She  was  evidently 
a  faster  sailer  than  his  own  vessel ;  he  concluded, 
therefore,  that  if  he  turned  out  of  his  course,  he 
would  at  length  be  overtaken,  and  from  the  pirates, 
excited  and  exasperated  by  a  long  chase,  little 
mercy  could  be  expected.  The  captain  was  a  pro 
fessed  Christian,  a  strong  believer  in  the  providence 
of  God,  and  emphatically  a  man  of  peace.  Instead 
of  fighting  with  carnal  weapons,  he  determined  to 
fight  him  with  spiritual  ones.  Having  religious 
tracts  on  board,  he  determined,  as  soon  as  the 
schooner  came  alongside,  to  go  on  board,  and  pre- 
sent his  tracts  to  the  captain  and  crew,  and  preach 
to  them  in  a  bold,  but  affectionate  manner,  appro- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  113 

priatc  truths  from  the  Gospel  of  Christ.  He  ordered 
all  the  hands  to  go  down  below,  but  the  man  at  the 
helm.  This  he  did  partly  to  keep  them  from  being 
agitated  and  from  agitating  his  own  mind,  and 
partly  to  do  away  with  all  appearance  of  opposition 
against  the  approaching  foe.  Then,  committing  his 
men  and  himself  to  God,  he  patiently  awaited  the 
pirate's  arrival.  The  schooner  came  nearer  and 
nearer,  till  at  length  even  the  figures  of  the  men 
could  be  distinctly  seen  by  the  naked  eye.  A  fear- 
ful crisis  was  fast  coming.  But  still  the  captain 
never  shrunk  nor  veered  from  his  course  for  a  mo- 
ment. Suddenly  the  pirates  altered  their  course, 
hauled  the  vessel  upon  the  wind,  and  stood  away 
as  rapidly  as  sail  and  surge  could  carry  them ! 
From  the  fact  that  they  saw  no  men  on  board  but 
Captain  S and  the  helmsman,  and  no  manifesta- 
tions of  fear,  the  pirates  might  have  been  led  to 
suspect  that  there  was  a  large  armed  force  below, 
or  some  other  decoy  prepared ;  and  thus  concluded 
it  dangerous  to  attempt  their  hostile  design.  What- 
ever process  of  thought  it  was,  however,  which  led 
them  to  retreat,  who  will  fail  to  recognise  in  that 
process  an  overruling  Providence,  protecting  in  this 
instance,  as  in  many  others,  the  man  who  resists 
not  evil,  but  in  the  hour  of  threatened  violence1 
depends  not  on  his  own  arm,  but  on  God's  ? 


114  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


DELIVERANCE  FROM  CAPTIVITY. 

THIS  day,  in  the  evening,  Brother  K was 

called  on  to  perform  the  funeral  solemnities  of  Mrs. 
Scott.  Perhaps  she  has  been  as  great  a  female 
sufferer  as  I  have  heard  of.  The  following  account, 
in  substance,  was  taken  from  her  own  mouth,  some 
time  ago,  by  J.  Kobler,  who  performed  her  funeral 
rites : — 

Her  maiden  name  was  Dickenson.  She  was 
married  to  a  Mr.  Scott,  and  lived  in  Powell's  Val- 
ley ;  at  which  time  the  Indians  were  very  trouble- 
some, often  killing  and  plundering  the  inhabitants. 
On  a  certain  evening,  her  husband  and  children 
being  in  bed,  eight  or  nine  Indians  rushed  into  the 
house;  her  husband  being  alarmed,  started  up, 
when  all  that  had  guns  fired  at  him.  Although  he 
was  badly  wounded,  he  broke  through  them  all, 
and  got  out  of  the  house.  Several  pursued  him 
and  put  an  end  to  his  life.  They  then  murdered 
and  scalped  all  her  children  before  her  eyes,  plun- 
dered her  house,  and  took  her  prisoner.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  night  they  spent  around  a  fire  in 
the  woods,  drinking,  shouting,  and  dancing.  The 
next  day  they  divided  the  plunder,  with  great 
equality ;  among  the  rest  of  the  goods  was  one  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  hymn-books ;  she  asked  them  for  it, 
and  they  gave  it  to  her;  but  when  they  saw  her 
often  reading  in  it,  they  were  displeased,  called  her 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  115 

a  conjurer,  and  took  it  from  her.  After  this  they 
travelled  several  days'  journey  towards  the  Indian 
towns;  but,  said  she,  my  grief  was  so  great,  I 
could  hardly  believe  my  situation  was  a  reality, 
but  thought  I  dreamed.  To  aggravate  my  grief, 
one  of  the  Indians  hung  my  husband's  and  my 
children's  scalps  to  his  back,  and  would  walk  the 
next  before  me.  In  walking  up  and  down  the  hills 
and  mountains,  I  was  worn  out  with  fatigue  and 
sorrow ;  they  would  often  laugh  when  they  saw  me 
almost  spent,  and  mimic  my  panting  for  breath. 
There  was  one  Indian  who  was  more  humane  than 
the  rest;  he  would  get  me  water,  and  make  the 
others  stop  when  I  wanted  to  rest;  thus  they  car- 
ried me  on  eleven  days'  journey,  until  they  were 
all  greatly  distressed  with  hunger ;  they  then  com- 
mitted me  to  the  care  of  an  old  Indian  in  the  camp, 
while  they  went  off  hunting. 

Whilst  the  old  man  was  busily  employed  in 
dressing  a  deer-skin,  I  walked  backward  and  for- 
ward through  the  woods,  until  I  observed  he  took 
no  notice  of  me ;  I  then  slipped  off,  and  ran  a  con- 
siderable distance,  and  came  to  a  cane-brake,  where 
I  hid  myself  very  securely.  Through  most  of  the 
night  I  heard  the  Indians  searching  for  me,  an<^ 
answering  each  other  with  a  Voice  like  that  of  ai 
owl.  Thus  was  I  left  alone  in  the  savage  wilder 
ness,  far  from  any  inhabitants,  without  a  morsel  ol 
food,  or  a  friend  to  help,  but  the  common  Savioui 
and  Friend  of  all :  to  Him  I  poured  out  my  com 


116  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

plaint  in  fervent  prayer,  that  He  would  not  forsake 
in  this  distressing  circumstance.  I  then  set  out 
the  course  I  thought  Kentucky  lay,  though  with 
very  little  expectation  of  seeing  a  human  face  again, 
except  of  the  savages,  whom  I  looked  upon  as  so 
many  fiends  from  the  bottomless  pit ;  and  my  great- 
est dread  was  that  of  meeting  some  of  them  whilst 
wandering  in  the  wilderness. 

One  day,  as  I  was  travelling,  I  heard  a  loud 
human  voice,  and  a  prodigious  noise,  like  horses 
running;  I  ran  into  a  safe  place  and  hid  myself; 
and  saw  a  company  of  Indians  pass  by,  furiously 
driving  a  gang  of  horses  which  they  had  stolen  from 
the  white  people.  I  had  nothing  to  subsist  on  but 
roots,  young  grape-vines,  and  sweei>cane,  and  such 
like  produce  of  the  woods.  I  accidentally  came 
near  a  place  where  a  bear  was  eating  a  deer,  and 
drew  near,  in  hopes  of  getting  some,  but  he  growled 
and  looked  angry ;  so  I  left  him,  and  quickly  passed 
on.  At  night,  when  I  lay  down  to  rest,  I  never 
slept  but  I  dreamed  of  eating.  In  my  lonesome 
travels,  I  came  to  a  very  large  shelving  rock,  under 
which  was  a  fine  bed  of  leaves ;  I  crept  in  among 
them,  and  determined  there  to  end  my  days  of  sor- 
row. I  lay  there  several  hours,  until  my  bones 
ached  in  so  distressing  a  manner  that  I  was  obliged 
to  stir  out  again.  I  then  thought  of,  and  wished 
for,  home;  and  travelled  on  several  days,  till  1 
came  where  Cumberland  river  breaks  through  the 
mountains. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  i!7 

I  went  down  the  cliffs  a  considerable  distance, 
until  I  was  affrighted,  and  made  an  attempt  to  go 
back ;  but  found  the  place  down  which  I  had  gone 
was  so  steep  that  I  could  not  return.  I  then  saw 
but  one  way  that  I  could  go,  which  was  a  consid- 
erable perpendicular  distance  down  the  bank  of  the 
river.  I  took  hold  of  the  top  of  a  little  bush,  and 
for  half  an  hour  prayed  fervently  to  God  for  assist- 
ance ;  I  then  let  myself  down  by  the  little  bush 
till  it  broke,  and  I  fell  with  great  violence  to  the 
bottom.  This  was  early  in  the  morning ;  and  I  lay 
there  a  considerable  time  determined  to  go  no  fur- 
ther. About  ten  o'clock  I  grew"  so  thirsty,  that  I 
concluded  to  crawl  to  the  water  and  drink ;  after 
which  I  found  I  could  walk.  The  place  I  came 
through,  as  I  have  been  since  informed,  is  only  two 
miles,  and  I  was  four  days  in  getting  through  it. 
I  travelled  on  till  I  came  to  a  little  path,  one  end 
of  which  led  to  the  inhabitants,  and  the  other  to 
the  wilderness ;  I  knew  not  which  end  of  the  path 
to  take ;  after  standing  and  praying  to  the  Lord 
for  some  time,  I  turned  to  the  wilderness ;  immedi- 
ately there  came  a  little  bird  of  a  dove  color  to  my 
feet,  and  fluttered  along  the  path  which  led  to  the 
inhabitants.  I  did  not  observe  -this  much  at  first, 
until  it  did  it  a  second  and  third  time ;  I  then 
understood  this  as  a  direction  of  Providence,  and 
took  the  path  which  led  me  to  the  inhabitants. — 
From  the  Journal  of  Bishop  Asbury. 


118  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


THE  LORD  KINDLY  PROVIDES. 

REV.  CHARLES  S.  ROBINSON,  a  missionary  at  St. 
Charles,  Missouri,  who  lately  deceased,  is  said  to 
have  suffered  during  his  missionary  labors,  the  pri- 
vations which  few  ever  have  suffered.  But  his 
Heavenly  Father,  in  whom  he  trusted,  and  who  is 
ever  mindful  of  the  wants  of  his  children,  watched 
over  him,  and  kindly  provided  relief  when  he  had 
been  driven  to  the  greatest  extremity.  The  follow- 
ing is  from  his  own  pen  on  the  subject : — 

"  I  went  to  the  store  for  necessary  food,  and  was 
refused,  because  I  had  not  money  to  pay  for  it.  I 
returned  to  my  destitute  family ;  you  may  imagine 
with  what  feelings.  None  knew  of  our  distress 
but  those  who  felt  it.  It  was  in  November.  The 
cold  wind  found  a  ready  entrance  to  our  cabin,  and 
we  had  no  wood.  I  procured  a  spade,  with  a  view 
of  remedying  the  evil,  as  well  as  I  could,  by  throw- 
ing up  a  bank  around  the  house.  I  had  scarcely 
dug  into  the  earth  a  foot,  when,  to  my  surprise,  I 
threw  up  a  silver  dollar,  which  had  long  been  buried 
beneath  the  surface !  The  goodness  of  God  filled 
my  heart,  and  I  wept  plentifully  at  the  sight  of  it. 
This  served  to  furnish  us  with  a  little  wood  and  a 
few  necessaries." 


KEMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  119 


THE  SOLDIER  AND  THE  POOR  WOMAN. 

A  POOR  woman,  who  owed  her  landlord  fourteen 
pounds,  scraped  seven  together,  which  she  brought 
him.  He  absolutely  refused  to  take  less  than 
the  whole,  yet  detained  her  in  talk  till  the  evening. 
She  then  set  out  on  a  cart.  When  she  was  within 
a  mile  of  home,  she  overtook  a  soldier,  who  said  he 
was  exceedingly  tired,  and  earnestly  entreated  her 
to  let  him  ride  with  her  on  the  cart,  to  which  she 
at  last  consented.  When  they  came  to  her  house, 
finding  there  was  no  town  within  two  miles,  he 
begged  he  might  sit  by  the  fireside  till  morning. 
She  refused  at  first,  as  hers  was  a  lone  house,  and 
she  alone  with  her  girls,  but  at  last  consented.  At 
midnight,  two  men,  who  had  blackened  their  faces, 
broke  into  the  house  and  demanded  her  money. 
She  said :  "  Then  let  me  go  into  the  next  room  and 
fetch  it."  Going  in,  she  said  to  the  soldier :  "  You 
have  requited  me  well  for  my  kindness,  by  bringing 
your  comrades  to  rob  my  house."  He  asked : 
"  Where  are  they  ?"  She  said :  "  In  the  next 
room."  He  started  up  and  ran  thither.  The  men 
ran  away  with  all  speed.  He  fired  after  them,  and 
shot  one  dead,  who  proved  to  be  her  landlord !  So 
that  a  soldier  was  sent  to  protect  an  innocent  wo- 
man, and  punish  a  hardened  villain. — Rev.  John 
Wesley's  Journal. 


SECTION   III. 

stnt  %  HWal  Jmprtssions,  grcmns, 


TAUGHT  BY  A  DREAM. 

IT  has  been  well  observed  that  we  may  place 
too  little,  as  well  as  too  much,  dependence  upon 
dreams.  For  while  many  foolishly  regard  every 
trifling  imagination  of  the  thought  in  sleep  to  be 
either  the  prognostication  or  the  revelation  of  an 
important  event,  there  are  others  who  believe  that 
all  dreams  should  be  entirely  disregarded,  and  think 
it  a  mark  of  profound  ignorance  and  superstition,  if 
not  of  sin,  to  suppose  that  dreams  can  have  any  con- 
nection with  our  line  of  duty.  Yet  our  own  expe- 
rience, and  the  testimony  of  many  men  of  sound 
judgment,  extensive  learning,  and  deep  piety,  suffi- 
ciently confute  the  latter  opinion.  In  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  we  are  informed  of  people  having  been- 
warned  of  God  in  dreams  (Gen.  xx.  3 ;  Matt.  ii. 
22,  &c.) ;  and  if  we  deny  that  any  spiritual  agency 
is  in  operation,  do  we  not  deny  the  truth  of  divine 

(120) 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  121 

revelation  ?  How  such  communications  are  made, 
we  know  not ;  but  that  they  have  been  made,  even 
in  our  own  days,  we  know  full  well.  We,  hear  the 
sound  caused  by  the  wind,  "  but  cannot  tell  whence 
it  cometh,  and  whither  it  goeth  :"  so  are  all  the 
communications  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  The  follow- 
ing fact  not  only  establishes  the  truth  of  our  posi- 
tion, but  manifests  the  care  of  Divine  Providence 
towards  his  helpless  creatures. 

Some  years  ago,  Ann  Jane  M ,  then  about 

fourteen  years  of  age,  residing  with  her  parents  at 

L ,  near  Belfast,  received  a  slight  injury  in  one 

of  her  toes.  Little  attention  was  paid  to  the  wound 
at  first ;  and,  as  was  customary  for  children  in  that 
country,  she  wore  no  shoes.  As  might  have  been 
expected,  the  injury  became  worse;  the  swelling 
increased,  and  extended  rapidly  in  the  foot  and 
leg.  The  tumor  afterwards  broke,  and  discharged, 
giving  excessive  pain,  and  exhibiting  an  alarming 
appearance.  The  nail  of  the  toe  dropped  off;  and 
the  sufferings  of  the  little  girl  became  so  violent 
that  surgical  advice  was  resorted  to.  When  the 
doctor  examined  it,  he  said  it  was  then  too  late  to 
apply  any  remedy  for  the  purpose  of  attempting  to 
heal  it ;  that  the  inflammation  was  so  great,  that 
its  progress  could  only  be  arrested  by  amputation, 
and  if  that  were  not  immediately  done,  the  conse- 
quence would  soon  be  fatal.  This  step,  generally 
so  repugnant  to  our  feelings,  the  parents  were  un- 
willing to  allow,  and  applied  to  another  surgeon. 
11 


122  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

Poulticing  was  then  tried,  but  without  success  :  the 
whole  limb  became  inflamed,  and  the  swelling  in- 
creased. »A  consultation  of  surgeons  took  place  on 
the  matter,  and  they  unanimously  agreed  that 
nothing  could  save  the  poor  sufferer's  life  but  the 
amputation  of  the  toe.  It  was  then  decided  that 
the  operation  should  take  place  upon  an  appointed 
day,  when  the  girl  was  to  be  brought  to  town,  and 
a  car  provided  to  take  her  home  again. 

The  patient  had  passed  a  sleepless  night :  the 
agony  she  suffered  was  so  excruciating  that  she 
could  not  obtain  a  moment's  repose.  "  Tired  na- 
ture's sweet  restorer,  balmy  sleep,"  came  not  to  her 
relief:  how  true  the  \vords  of  the  poet, — 

"  The  wretched  he  forsakes  !" 

She  was  prepared  for  the  journey,  and  sat  waiting 
the  arrival  of  the,  car,  holding  her  limb  with  her 
hands,  attempting  to  allay  her  torture.  While  in 
this  position  she  dropped  asleep,  and  seemed  to 
enjoy  a  short  cessation  from  pain.  In  about  an 
hour  she  awoke,  and  with  a  happy  smile  said,  "  0, 
I  dreamed  that  my  leg  was  well !  I  thought  that  I 

was  taken  to  Dr.  B ,  in  Belfast ;  that  when  we 

went  to  his  house,  I  saw  him  standing  in  his  room, 
with  his  coat  off,  and  his  shirt-sleeves  rolled  up. 
He  had  red  hair,  and  wore  a  black  apron.  I 
thought  he  cured  me  without  cutting  off  my  toe." 
The  fond  parents  were  puzzled  how  to  act :  the 
child's  dream  appeared  remarkable,  for  she  had 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  123 

never  heard  of  Dr.  B ;  yet  in  the  anxious  hope 

that  there  might  be  such  a  person,  and  that  he 
could  heal  the  sore,  they  went  to  Belfast  and 
inquired  for  him.  After  some  search,  they  found 
there  was  a  surgeon  of  that  name  attending  the 

dispensary  of Lane.     Thither  they  repaired, 

and,  on  entering  the  room,  were  astonished  to  see 
a  man  answering  precisely  the  description  in  the 
child's  dream.  He  examined  the  toe,  and  imme- 
diately applied  a  remedy,  putting  a  tight  bandage 
on  the  seat  of  pain.  She  was  ordered  to  return 
again  to  have  it  dressed.  She  did  so,  and  the  third 
visit  was  her  last.  Restoration  rapidly  took  place ; 
in  less  than  a  month  the  pain  and  sore  were  com- 
pletely gone ;  and  she  has  continued  well  to  this 
day 


"I  HAVE  JUST  MET  WITH  A  WONDERFUL  MANI- 
FESTATION OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE." 

THUS  spake  a  venerable  man  of  God,  some  months 
since,  on  meeting  me  upon  one  of  the  streets  of  our 
city.  He  was  aged,  though  active ;  had  a  wife  and 
children  to  provide  for,  and  withal  was  poor.  After 
introducing  the  subject  in  the  manner,  and  with  the 
words  at  the  head  of  this  article,  he  proceeded  to 
narrate  the  following  facts.  That  morning  as  he 
sat  down  at  his  table  with  his  wife  and  children,  to 
partake  of  a  very  scanty  breakfast,  his  partner  told 
him  it  was  the  very  last  in  the  house,  and  said, 


124  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

"  Husband,  where  is  the  dinner  to  come  from?"  He 
replied  that  he  knew  not,  and  added,  "God  will  pro- 
vide." After  finishing  their  humble  meal,  instead 
of  offering  thanks  to  God  in  the  customary  manner, 
they  bowed  down  upon  their  knees,  and  by  "  pra  \  cr 
and  supplication,  with  thanksgiving,"  made  known 
their  requests.  Before  concluding  their  devotions, 
a  knock  was  heard  at  the  front  door  of  his  house. 
On  finishing  the  prayer,  he  went  to  the  door,  and 
much  to  his  surprise,  there  stood  before  him  a  most 
excellent  and  pious  brother,  a  member  of  one  of  the 
Presbyterian  churches  of  this  city ;  a  gentleman 
and  Christian,  whose  worth  was  "  known  and  read" 
of  many,  but  whose  numerous  acts  of  noble  charity 
will  never  be  fully  manifested,  until  the  "judgment 
of  the  great  day."  .  His  astonishment  at  seeing  this 
excellent  man  was  the  greater,  because  he  had  but 
a  partial  personal  acquaintance  with  him,  and  he 
had  never  before  visited  his  dwelling.  Upon  invita- 
tion he  entered,  and  after  being  seated,  asked  the 
old  gentleman  how  it  was  with  him  and  his  family. 
After  telling  him,  in  reply,  that  physically  they 
were  well,  and  spiritually  they  were  at  "  peace  with 
God  and  all  mankind,"  he  apologized  for  keeping 
him  at  the  door  for  a  short  time,  and  told  him  of 
what  his  wife  had  said  at  the  commencement  of 
their  meal,  and  further  remarked  that  when  he 
knocked,  they  were  engaged  in  fervent  prayer  to 
God,  commending  themselves  in  their  necessitous 
state  to  his  fatherly  care. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  125 

After  listening  to  his  simple  and  affecting  narra- 
tive, this  brother  told  him  that  he  had  left  his  home 
thus  early  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  a  poor  widow, 
who  lived  some  distance  beyond  him,  and  without 
the  most  remote  thought  of  calling  on  him  or  his 
family.  On  passing  his  door,  the  impression  was 
made  strongly  upon  his  mind,  that  he  ought  to  stop 
and  inquire  after  his  health.  He  resisted  it,  and 
wc-nt  on,  because  of  not  being,  as  he  supposed,  suffi- 
ciently intimate  with  him  to  justify  such  a  visit, 
and  particularly  so  early  in  the  day.  He  had  not, 
however,  progressed  very  far,  before  the  impression 
became  so  strong,  that  he  stopped,  and  after  reflect- 
ing for  a  moment  or  two,  determined  to  yield  to  it. 
He  had  done  so.  Whilst  in  the  act  of  saying  a  few 
words  of  encouragement  to  this  aged  servant  of  God, 
lie  took  leave  of  him,  at  the  same  time  pressing  into 
his  hand  a  ten  dollar  gold  piece. 

Reader,  your  judgment  now  is,  this  was  truly  a 
direct  and  "wonderful  manifestation  of  Divine  Pro- 
vidence," in  behalf  of  his  needy  child.  The  "  eye 
of  the  Lord"  was  over  him  for  good,  and  thus  sent 
help  from  a  quarter  least  expected,  and  at  the  very 
time  in  which  it  was  most  called  for.  Christian 
reader,  in  straitened  circumstances,  have  you  ever 
been  led,  like  old  Jacob,  to  say,  "  all  these  things 
are  against  me?"  If  so,  be  ashamed,  heartily 
ashamed,  of  having  thus  dishonored  your  God. 
He  has  never  failed  you,  or  ceased  to  "care  for 
you."  Remember  his  plain,  pointed,  and  all-com- 
11* 


120  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

prehensive  command,  "  Trust  in  the  Lord."  "  It  is 
better  to  trust  in  the  Lord  than  to  put  confidence 
in  men;  it  is  better  to  trust  in  the  Lord  than  to 
put  confidence  in  princes."  Write  these  blessed 
Scriptures  upon  the  tablet  of  your  memory.  Give 
them  a  permanent  lodgment  in  the  innermost 
recesses  of  your  heart's  warmest  affections.  Now 
in  spirit,  and  if  possible,  upon  your  knees,  conse- 
crate yourself  fully  to  your  God,  and  resolve  from 
this  moment  never  again  to  succumb  in  the  day  of 
clouds  and  darkness ;  never  again  to  doubt  the 
good  Providence  that  has  thus  far  always  been  over 
you.  Resolve  that  NOW,  henceforth  and  for  ever, 
you  will,  "by  prayer  and  supplication,  with  thanks- 
giving, let  your  requests  be  made  known  unto  God." 
Then  may  you  realize  the  fulfilment  of  the  promise 
annexed,  viz. :  "  The  peace  of  God,  which  passeth 
all  understanding,  shall  keep  your  heart  and  mind 
through  Jesus  Christ." 


REMARKABLE  INSTANCE  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE 
IN  THE  CASE  OF  A  SCOTCH  CLERGYMAN. 

IN  the  year  1681,  a  gentleman  who  lived  near 
Aberdeen,  came  to  town  on  purpose  to  ask  advice 
of  some  of  the  ministers.  He  told  them  he  had  an 
impression  continually  following  him,  to  go  to  Rot- 
terdam. They  asked  him,  "  For  what  reason  ?" 
But  he  could  tell  none :  on  which  they  advised  him 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  127 

to  stay  at  home.  Some  time  after  he  came  again, 
and  informed  them,  "  Either  I  must  go  ,to  Rotter- 
dam, or  die ;  for  this  impression  follows  me  day  and 
night,  so  that  I  can  neither  eat,  nor  drink,  nor 
sleep."  They  then  advised  him  to  go.  Accord- 
ingly he  embarked  and  came  to  Rotterdam.  As  he 
was  landing,  his  foot  slipped,  and  he  fell  into  the 
sea.  A  gentleman  who  was  walking  on  the  quay, 
leaped  in  and  caught  hold  of  him,  brought  him  out, 
and  conducted  him  to  an  inn.  He  then  procured 
some  dry  linen  for  him,  and  a  warm  bed,  in  which 
he  slept  sound  for  several  hours.  When  he  awoke, 
he  found  the  gentleman  sitting  by  his  bedside,  who, 
taking  it  for  granted  he  would  be  hungry,  had  be- 
spoke a  dinner,  which,  to  his  great  satisfaction,  was 
immediately  served  up.  The  Scotch  gentleman 
desired  the  other  to  ask  a  blessing,  which  he  did  in 
such  a  manner  as  quite  surprised  him.  But  he  was 
still  more  surprised,  both  at  the  spirit  and  language 
in  which  he  returned  thanks ;  and  asked  him,  "  Sir, 
are  not  you  a  minister?"  He  answered,  "I  am: 
but  I  was,  some  time  since,  banished  from  Scotland." 
The  other  replied,  "  Sir,  I  observed,  though  you 
behaved  quite  decently,  you  seemed  to  be  extremely 
hungry.  Pray,  permit  me  to  ask,  how  long  is  it 
since  you  took  any  food  ?"  He  said,  "  Eight  and 
forty  hours;"  on  which  the  Scot  started  up  and 
said,  "  Now  I  know  why  God  sent  me  to  Rotterdam. 
You  shall  want  for  nothing  any  more :  I  have 


128  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

enough  for  us  both."     Shortly  after  the  revolution 
ensued:  and  he  was  reinstated  in  his  living. 


REMARKABLE  CURE  OF  DISEASE. 

A  FRIEND  once  told  me  that,  amongst  other  symp- 
toms of  high  nervous  excitement,  he  had  been  pain- 
fully harassed  by  the  want  of  sleep.  To  such  a 
degree  had  this  proceeded,  that  if,  in  the  course  of 
the  day,  any  occasion  led  him  to  his  bed-chamber, 
the  sight  of  his  bed  made  him  shudder  at  the  idea 
of  the  restless  hours  he  had  passed  upon  it.  In 
this  case,  it  was  recommended  to  him  to  endeavor, 
when  he  lay  down  at  night,  to  fix  his  thoughts  on 
something  at  the  same  time  vast  and  simple — such 
as  the  wide  expanse  of  ocean,  or  the  cloudless  vault 
of  heaven ;  that  the  little  hurried  and  disturbing 
images  that  flitted  before  his  mind  might  be  charmed 
away,  or  hushed  to  rest,  by  the  calming  influence 
of  one  absorbing  thought.  Though  not  at  all  a  re- 
ligious man  at  the  time,  the  advice  suggested  to  his 
mind,  that  if  an  object  at  once  vast  and  simple  was 
to  be  selected,  none  could  serve  the  purpose  so  well 
as  that  of  God.  He  resolved  then  to  make  the 
trial,  and  to  think  of  Him.  The  result  exceeded 
his  most  sanguine  hopes :  in  thinking  of  God  he 
fell  asleep.  Night  after  night  he  resorted  to  the 
same  expedient.  The  process  became  delightful; 
so  much  so,  that  he  used  to  long  for  the  usual  hour 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  129 

of  retiring,  that  lie  might  fall  asleep,  as  he  termed 
it,  in  God.  What  began  as  a  mere  physical  opera- 
tion, grew  by  imperceptible  degrees  into  a  gracious 
influence.  The  same  God  who  was  his  repose  at 
night,  was  in  all  his  thoughts  by  day.  And  at  the 
same  time  this  person  spoke  to  me,  God,  as  revealed 
in  the  gospel  of  his  Son,  was  "  all  his  salvation,"  so 
inscrutable  are  the  ways  by  which  God  can  "fetch 
home  again  his  banished." 


REMARKABLE  INTERPOSITION  OF  DIVINE  PROVI- 
DENCE. 

THOMAS  HOWNHAM,  the  subject  of  the  following 
providence,  was  a  poor  man,  who  lived  in  a  lone 
house  or  hut  upon  a  moor,  called  Baramourmoor, 
about  a  mile  from  Lowick,  and  two  miles  from 
Doddington,  in  the  county  of  Northumberland.  He 
had  no  means  to  support  a  wife  and  two  children, 
save  the  scanty  earning  obtained  by  keeping  an  ass, 
on  which  he  used  to  carry  coals  from  Baramour 
coal  hill  to  Doddington  and  Wooler ;  or  by  making 
brooms  of  the  heath,  and  selling  them  around  the 
country.  Yet,  poor  and  despised  as  he  was  in  con- 
sequence of  his  poverty,  in  my  forty  years'  acquaint^ 
ance  with  the  professing  world,  I  have  scarce  met 
with  his  equal,  as  a  man  that  lived  near  to  God,  or 
one  who  was  favored  with  more  evident  answers  to 
prayer.  My  parents  then  living  at  a  village  called 

9 


130  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

Hanging  Hall,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  from  his 
hut,  I  had  frequent  interviews  with  him,  in  one  of 
which  he  was  solicitous  to  know  whether  my  father 
or  mother  had  sent  him  any  unexpected  relief  the 
night  before.  I  answered  him  in  the  negative,  so 
far  as  I  knew :  at  which  he  seemed  to  be  uneasy. 
I  then  pressed  to  know  what  relief  he  had  found ; 
and  how  ?  After  requesting  secrecy,  unless  I  should 
hear  from  any  other  quarter  (and  if  so,  lie  begged 
I  would  acquaint  him),  Jie  proceeded  to  inform  me, 
that,  being  disappointed  in  receiving  money  for  his 
coals  the  day  before,  he  returned  home  in  the  eve- 
ning, and  to  his  pain  and  distress  found  that  there 
was  neither  bread  nor  meal,  nor  anything  to  supply 
their  place,  in  his  house;  and  that  his  wife  wept 
sore  for  the  poor  children  who  were  both  crying  for 
hunger ;  that  they  continued  crying  till  they  both 
fell  asleep;  that  he  put  them  to  bed,  and  their 
mother  with  them,  who  likewise  soon  went  to 
sleep,  being  worn  out  with  the  sufferings  of  the 
children  and  her  own  tender  feelings.  Being  a  fine 
moonlight  night,  he  went  out  of  the  house,  to  a 
retired  spot,  at  a  little  distance,  to  meditate  on 
those  remarkable  expressions  in  Hab.  iii.  17-19. 
Here  he  continued,  as  he  thought,  about  an  hour 
and  a  half,  found  great  liberty  and  enlargement  in 
prayer;  and  got  such  a  heart-loathing  and  soul- 
humbling  sight  of  himself,  and  such  interesting 
views. of  the  grace  of  God,  and  the  love  of  his 
adorable  Saviour,  that  though  he  went  on  purpose 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  131 

to  spread  his  temporal  wants  before  his  Lord,  yet, 
having  obtained  a  heart-attracting  and  soul-captiva- 
ting view  of  him  by  faith,  he  was  so  enamored  with 
his  beauty,  and  so  anxious  to  have  his  heart 
entirely  under  his  forming  hand,  that  all  thought 
about  temporals  was  taken  away. 

In  a  sweet,  serene,  and  composed  frame  of  mind, 
he  returned  into  his  house ;  when  by  the  light  of 
the  moon,  through  the  window,  he  perceived  some- 
thing upon  a  stool  or  form  (for  chairs  they  had 
none)  before  the  bed;  and  after  viewing  it  with 
astonishment,  and  feeling  it,  he  found  it  to  be  a 
joint  of  meat  roasted,  and  a  loaf  of  bread  about 
the  size  of  our  half-peck  loaves.  He  then  went  to 
the  door  to  look  if  he  could  see  anybody;  and 
after  using  his  voice,  as  well  as  his  eyes,  and 
neither  perceiving  nor  hearing  any  one,  he  re- 
turned, awoke  his  wife,  who  was  still  asleep,  asked 
a  blessing,  and  then  awoke  the  children,  and  gave 
them  a  comfortable  repast ;  but  could  give  me  no 
further  account.  I  related  this  extraordinary  affair 
to  my  father  and  mother,  who  both  heard  it  with 
astonishment;  but  ordered  me  to  keep  the  secret 
as  requested ;  and  such  it  would  have  ever  re- 
mained, but  for  the  following  reason.  A  short 
time  after  this  event  I  left  that  country ;  but  on  a 
visit  about  twelve  years  after,  at  a  friend's,  the 
conversation  one  evening  took  a  turn  about  one 
Mr.  Strange  ways,  commonly  called  Stranguage,  a 
farmer,  who  lived  at  Lowick-Highsteed,  which  the 


132  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

people  named  Pinchmenear,  on  account  of  this 
miserly  wretch  that  dwelt  there.  I  asked  what 
had  become  of  his  property,  as  I  apprehended  he 
had  never  done  one  generous  action  in  his  lifetime. 
An  elderly  woman  in  company  said  I  was  mis- 
taken ;  for  she  could  relate  one  which  was  some- 
what curious :  She  said,  that  she  had  lived  with 
him  as  a  servant  or  housekeeper ;  that  about  twelve 
or  thirteen  years  ago,  one  Thursday  morning,  he 
ordered  her  to  have  a  whole  joint  of  meat  roasted, 
having  giving  her  directions  a  day  or  two  before  to 
bake  two  large  loaves  of  white  bread.  He  then 
went  to  Wooler  market,  and  took  a  piece  of  bread 
and  cheese  in  his  pocket  as  usual.  He  came  home 
in  the  evening  in  a  very  bad  humor,  and  went  soon 
to  bed.  In  about  two  hours  after  he  called  up  his 
man-servant,  and  ordered  him  to  take  one  of  the 
loaves,  and  the  joint  of  meat,  and  carry  them  down 
the  moor  to  Thomas  Hownham's,  and  leave  them 
there.  The  man  did  so,  and  finding  the  family 
asleep,  he  set  them  at  their  bed-side  and  came 
away. 

The  next  morning  her  master  called  her  and  the 
man-servant  in,  and  seemed  in  great  agitation  of 
mind.  He  told  them  that  he  intended  to  have 
invited  a  Mr.  John  Mool,  with  two  or  three  more 
neighboring  farmers  (who  were  always  teasing  him 
for  his  meanness),  to  sup  with  him  the  night  before ; 
that  he  would  not  invite  them  in  the  market  place, 
as  he  purposed  to  have  taken  them  by  surprise  near 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  13S 

home,  as  two  or  three  of  them  passed  his  house ; 
but  a  smart  shower  of  rain  coming  on,  they  rode  off 
and  left  him  before  he  could  get  an  opportunity ; 
that  going  soon  to  bed  he  did  not  rest  well,  fell  a 
dreaming,  and  thought  he  saw  Hownham's  wife  and 
children  starving  for  hunger;  that  he  awoke  and 
threw  off  the  impression ;  that  he  dreamed  the 
second  time,  and  endeavored  again  to  shake  it  off, 
but  that  he  was  altogether  overcome  with  the  non- 
sense the  third  time ;  that  he  believed  the  devil  was 
in  him,  but  that  since  he  was  so  foolish  as  to  send 
the  bread  and  meat,  he  could  not  now  help  it,  and 
charged  her  and  the  man  never  to  speak  of  it,  or 
he  would  turn  them  away  directly.  She  added, 
that  since  he  was  dead  long  ago,  she  thought  she 
might  relate  it,  as  a  proof  that  he  had  done  one 
generous  action,  though  he  was  grieved  for  it  after- 
wards. 


RELIEF  SENT  THROUGH  A  DREAM. 

I  WILL  give  an  incident,  in  which  I  thought  I 
saw  a  mark  of  divine  interposition  in  some  small 
degree.  I  owed  a  man  a  sum  of  money,  which 
came  due  on  a  certain  day  specified,  on  which  I 
was  particularly  anxious  not  to  disappoint  my 
friend.  When  the  day  arrived,  notwithstanding 
all  my  care,  I  lacked  twenty  dollars  to  meet  the 
amount  I  owed.  This  was  rather  strange  to  me, 

12 


134  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

as  I  thought  I  had  done  my  best.  On  the  morning 
of  that  day  I  arose  early  and  meditated  on  the 
matter.  Some  might  think  twenty  dollars  a  small 
matter  to  meditate  upon ;  but  I  wished  to  see  where, 
if  at  all,  I  had  erred.  True,  I  had  given  away 
some  money  to  the  poor.  I  had  not  kept  account 
how  much.  Had  I  displeased  God  in  this?  Or 
why  was  Providence  seemingly  suffering  me  to  feel 
the  regret  of  a  broken  promise  made  to  my  neigh- 
bor? I  took  no  breakfast,  but  went  from  home 
fasting,  to  see  what  God  was  about  to  unfold  to  me. 
In  a  secluded  place  I  bowed  to  God  in  mighty 
prayer.  Before  I  rose  from  my  knees,  I  was  im- 
pressed with  a  strong  assurance  that  the  twenty 
dollars  would  be  m  my  possession  by  the  hour  I 
needed  it.  I  had  riot  gone  far  before  I  was  accosted 
by  a  man — a  good  Methodist — with  these  words  : 
"  My  brother,  just  stop  :  I  have  something  for  you. 
I  had  a  dream  last  night.  In  it  I  was  told  to  let 
you  have  twenty  dollars,  the  extra  profit  of  my 
business  last  week."  Saying  which,  he  took  from 
his  pocket-book  four  five-dollar  notes,  and  laid  them 
down  before  me  on  a  full  sack  that  stood  on  the 
sidewalk.  I  took  the  money  and  paid  my  debt, 
with  an  increased  confidence  in  the  Providence  of 
God,  not  regretting  that  I  had  given  a  few  shillings 
to  the  poor. — Life  of  /Scarlett. 


REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES.  135 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  POOR  ANSWERED. 

A  LADY,  who  had  just  sat  down  to  breakfast,  had 
a  strong  impression  on  her  mind,  that  she  must 
instantly  carry  a  loaf  of  bread  to  a  poor  man,  who 
lived  about  half  a  mile  from  her  house,  by  the  side 
of  a  common.  Her  husband  wished  her  either  to 
postpone  taking  it  till  after  breakfast,  or  to  send  it 
by  a  servant ;  but  she  chose  to  take  it  immediately 
herself.  As  she  approached  the  hut,  she  heard  the 
sound  of  a  human  voice,  and  wishing  to  discover 
what  was  said,  she  stepped  unperceived  to  the  door. 
She  heard  the  poor  man  praying,  and  among  other 
things  he  said,  "  0  Lord,  help  me ;  Lord,  thou  wilt 
help  me ;  thy  promise  cannot  fail :  although  my 
wife,  myself,  and  children,  have  no  bread  to  eat, 
and  it  is  now  a  whole  day  since  we  had  any,  I 
know  thou  wilt  supply  me,  though  thou  shouldst 
again  rain  down  manna  from  heaven."  The  lady 
could  wait  no  longer,  but  opening  the  door,  "  Yes," 
she  replied,  "  God  has  sent  you  relief.  Take  this 
loaf,  and  be  encouraged  to  cast  your  care  upon  Him 
who  careth  for  you ;  and  whenever  you  want  a  loaf 
of  bread  come  to  ray  house." 


136  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 


THE  BUTCHER  AND  HIS  WIFE. 

RELATED  BY  MR.  JOHN  FLETCHER. 

ONE  Sunday  I  went  up  into  the  pulpit,  intending 
to  preach  a  sermon,  which  I  had  prepared  for  that 
purpose :  but  my  mind  was  so  confused,  that  I 
could  not  recollect  either  my  text,  or  any  part  of 
my  sermon.  I  was  afraid  I  should  be  obliged  to 
come  down  without  saying  anything.  But  having 
recollected  myself  a  little,  I  thought  I  would  say 
something  on  the  first  lesson,  which  was  the  third 
chapter  of  Daniel,  containing  the  account  of  the 
three  young  men  cast  into  the  fiery  furnace.  I 
found,  in  doing  it,  such  an  extraordinary  assistance 
from  God,  and  such  a  peculiar  enlargement  of  heart, 
that  I  supposed  there  must  be  some  special  cause 
for  it ;  I  therefore  desired,  if  any  of  the  congrega- 
tion found  anything  particular,  they  would  acquaint 
me  with  it  in  the  ensuing  week. 

In  consequence  of  this,  the  Wednesday  after,  a 
woman  came,  and  gave  me  the  following  account : 
"  I  have  been  for  some  time  much  concerned  about 
my  soul.  I  have  attended  the  church  at  all  oppor- 
tunities, and  have  spent  much  time  in  private 
prayer.  At  this,  my  husband,  who  is  a  butcher, 
has  been  exceedingly  enraged,  and  threatened  me 
severely  what  he  would  do,  if  I  did  not  leave  off 
going  to  John  Fletcher's  church,  yea,  if  I  dared  to 


KEMAKKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  137 

go  to  any  religious  meeting  whatever.  When  I 
told  him  I  could  not  in  conscience  refrain  from 
going  at  least  to  our  parish  church,  he  grew  quite 
outrageous,  and  swore  dreadfully,  that  if  I  went 
any  more,  he  would  cut  my  throat  as  soon  as  I 
came  home.  This  made  me  cry  mightily  to  God, 
that  he  would  support  me  in  the  trying  hour :  and, 
though  I  did  not  feel  any  great  degree  of  comfort, 
yet,  having  a  sure  confidence  in  God,  I  determined 
to  go  on  in  my  duty,  and  leave  the  rest  to  Him. 
Last  Sunday,  after  many  struggles  with  the  devil 
and  my  own  heart,  I  came  down  stairs,  ready  for 
church.  My  husband  asked  me  whether  I  was 
resolved  to  go  thither  ?  I  told  him  I  was.  l  Well, 
then,'  said  he,  '  I  shall  not,  as  I  intended,  cut  your 
throat,  but  will  heat  the  oven,  and  throw  you  into 
it  the  moment  you  come  home1.'  Notwithstanding 
this  threatening,  which  he  enforced  with  many 
bitter  oaths,  I  went  to  church,  praying  all  the  way 
that  God  would  strengthen  me  to  suffer  wrhatever 
might  befall  me.  While  you  were  speaking  of  the 
three  persons  whom  Nebuchadnezzar  cast  into  the 
burning  fiery  furnace,  I  found  it  all  belonged  to 
me,  and  God  applied  every  word  of  it  to  my  heart. 
And  when  the  sermon  was  ended,  I  thought  if  I 
had  a  thousand  lives,  I  could  lay  them  all  down  for 
God.  I  felt  my  whole  soul  so  filled  with  the  love 
of  Christ,  that  I  hastened  home,  fully  determined 
to  give  myself  to  whatever  God  pleased  :  nothing 
doubting  but  that  either  he  would  take  me  to 
12* 


138  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

heaven,  if  he  suffered  me  to  be  burnt  to  death,  or 
that  he  would  somehow  deliver  me,  even  as  he  did 
his  three  servants  who  trusted  in  him.  When  I 
had  got  almost  to  my  own  door,  I  saw  the  flames 
issuing  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  oven ;  and  I  ex- 
pected nothing  else  but  that  I  should  be  thrown 
into  it  immediately.  I  felt  my  heart  rejoice,  that 
if  it  were  so,  the  will  of  the  Lord  would  be  done. 
I  opened  the  door,  and,  to  my  utter  astonishment, 
saw  my  husband  upon  his  knees,  wrestling  with 
God  in  prayer,  for  the  forgiveness  of  his  sins.  He 
caught  me  in  his  arms,  earnestly  begged  my  par- 
don, and  has  continued  diligently  seeking  the  Lord 
ever  since." 

I  now  know  (adds  Mr.  Fletcher)  why  my  sermon 
was  taken  from  me,  namely,  that  God  might  thus 
magnify  his  inercy. 


THE  PROVIDENCE  OF  GOD  ASSERTED. 

MANY  years  ago  a  fact  came  to  my  knowledge, 
which  I  have  intended  preserving  by  sending  an 
account  of  it  to  your  magazine. 

About  thirty  years  ago,  Mr.  Floyd,  who  had  been 
educated  in  the  medical  and  surgical  line,  and  was 
then  an  itinerant  preacher,  was  stationed  in  Bristol. 
Breakfasting  one  morning  at  Miss  Chapman's,  he 
related  to  us  the  following  story  of  a  pious  young 
man  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  which  happened  while 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  139 

Mr.  Floyd  was  in  those  parts.  The  young  man 
was  afflicted  with  epileptic  fits,  and  found  no  relief 
from  the  means  used.  One  night  he  dreamed  that 
a  person  bade  him  go  to  a  bridge  about  a  mile  from 
his  dwelling,  gather  some  herbs,  which  he  wrould 
find  growing  at  the  side,  pound  them,  and  take  a 
table-spoonful  of  the  juice,  fasting,  for  nine  or  ten 
mornings,  and  it  would  remove  his  fits. 

This  dream  was  repeated  more  than  once,  and 
made  such  an  impression  on  his  mind  that  he  be- 
lieved it  to  be  sent  of  God.  Therefore  he  arose  and 
went,  found  the  herbs,  used  them  as  he  was  directed, 
and  was  cured.  The  herb  was  that  which  we  call 
Pellitory  of  the  Wall,  and  grows  abundantly  in  dry 
places  in  and  near  old  walls.  Mr.  Floyd  added, 
that  he  had  mentioned  this  to  a  friend  in  Bristol 
whose  daughter  was  afflicted  with  violent  fits,  of  a 
hysteric  kind,  and  she  had  been  benefited  by  the 
use  of  the  herb.  At  that  time  I  had,  in  part,  the 
care  of  a  young  person  who  had  epileptic  fits,  and 
I  immediately  tried  the  remedy,  which  was  happily 
successful ;  nor  did  the  fits  return.  If  you  think, 
sir.  this  account  worth  preserving,  you  may  depend 
on  its  authenticity,  as  far  as  I  have  related  it. — 
London  Meth.  Magazine,  vol.  xxxii.  E.  M.  B. 


140  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 


THE  LITTLE  STRANGER. 

THOUGH  a  man  of  very  strict  principles,  no  man 
ever  enjoyed  a  joke  more  than  Dr.  Byron ;  he  had 
a  vast  fund  of  humor,  an  everyday  wit,  and,  with 
children,  particularly,  he  loved  to  chat  familiarly 
and  draw  them  out.  As  he  was  one  day  passing 
into  the  house,  he  was  accosted  by  a  very  little 
boy,  who  asked  him  if  he  wanted  any  SAUCE,  mean- 
ing vegetables.  The  doctor  inquired  if  such  a  tiny 
thing  was  a  market-man.  "  No,  sir,  my  father," 
was  the  prompt  answer.  The  doctor  said,  "  Bring 
me  in  some  squashes,"  and  he  passed  into  the  house, 
sending  out  the  change.  In  a  few  moments  the 
child  returned,  bringing  back  part  of  the  change ; 
the  doctor  told  him  he  was  welcome  to  it ;  but  the 
child  would  not  take  it  back,  saying  his  father 
would  blame  him.  Such  singular  manners  in  a 
child  attracted  his  attention,  and  he  began  to  exa- 
mine the  child  attentively :  he  was  evidently  poor ; 
his  little  jacket  was  pieced  and  patched  with  almost 
every  kind  of  cloth,  and  his  trowsers  darned  with 
BO  many  colors,  it  was  difficult  to  tell  the  original 
fabric,  but  scrupulously  neat  and  clean  withal. 
The  boy  very  quietly  endured  the  scrutiny  of  the 
doctor,  while  holding  him  at  arm's  length,  and 
examining  his  face.  At  length  he  said  : 

"  You  seem  a  nice  little  boy ;  won't  you  come 
and  live  with  me,  and  be  a  doctor?" 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  141 

"  Yes,  sir,"  said  the  child. 

"  Spoken  like  a  man,"  said  the  doctor,  patting 
his  head  as  he  dismissed  him. 

A  few  weeks  passed  on,  when,  one  day,  Jim 
came  to  say  that  there  was  a  little  boy  with  a 
bundle  down  stairs  wanting  to  see  the  doctor,  and 
would  not  tell  his  business  to  any  one  else.  "  Send 
him  up,"  was  the  answer ;  and,  in  a  few  moments, 
he  recognised  the  boy  of  the  squashes  (but  no 
squash  himself,  as  we  shall  see) ;  he  was  dressed 
in  a  new,  though  coarse  suit  of  clothes,  his  hair 
very  nicely  combed,  his  shoes  brushed  up,  and  a 
little  bundle,  tied  in  a  homespun  checked  handker- 
chief, on  his  arm.  Deliberately  taking  off  his  hat, 
and  laying  it  down  with  his  bundle,  he  walked  up 
to  the  doctor,  saying  : — 

"  I  have  come,  sir." 

§:  Come  for  what,  my  child  ?" 

"To  live  with  you,  and  be  a  doctor,"  said  the 
child,  with  the  utmost  naivete. 

The  first  impulse  of  the  doctor  was  to  laugh  im- 
moderately ;  but  the  imperturbable  gravity  of  the 
little  thing  rather  sobered  him,  as  he  recalled,  too, 
his  former  conversation,  and  he  avowed  he  felt  he 
needed  no  addition  to  his  family. 

"  Did  your  father  consent  to  your  coming  ?"  he 
asked. 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"What  did  he  say?" 

"  I  told  him  you  wanted  me  to  come  and  live 


142  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

with  you,  and  be  a  doctor ;  and  he  said  you  was  a 
very  good  man,  and  I  might  come  as  soon  as  my 
clothes  were  ready." 

"  And  your  mother,  what  did  she  say  ?" 

"  She  said  Doctor  Byron  would  do  just  what  he 
said  he  would,  and  God  had  provided  for  me." 
"And,"  said  he,  "I  have  on  a  new  suit  of  clothes," 
surveying  himself,  "  and  here  is  another  in  the 
bundle,"  undoing  the  kerchief  and  displaying  them, 
with  two  little  shirts,  white  as  snow,  and  a  couple 
of  neat  checked  aprons,  so  carefully  folded,  it  was 
plain  none  but  a  mother  would  have  done  it.  The 
sensibilities  of  the  doctor  were  awakened  to  see  the 
fearless,  the  undoubting  trust  with  which  that  poor 
couple  had  bestowed  their  child  upon  him,  and 
such  a  child.  His  cogitations  were  not  long;  he 
thought  of  Moses  in  the  bulrushes  abandoned  to 
Providence ;  and,  above  all,  he  thought  of  the  child 
that  was  carried  into  Egypt,  and  that  that  divine 
Saviour  had  said,  "  Blessed  be  little  children  ;"  and 
he  called  for  the  wife  of  his  bosom,  saying,  "  Susan, 
dear,  I  think  we  pray  in  church  that  God  will  have 
mercy  upon  all  young  children  ?" 

"  To  be  sure  we  do,"  said  the  wondering  wife ; 
"  and  what  then  ?" 

"  And  the  Saviour  said,  ( Whosoever  receiveth 
one  such  little  child  in  my  name,  receiveth  me ;' 
take  this  child  in  his  name,  and  take  care  of  him ;" 
and  from  this  hour  this  good  couple  received  him 
to  their  hearts  and  homes.  It  did  not  then  occur 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  143 

to  them,  that  one  of  the  most  eminent  physicians 
and  best  men  of  the  age  stood  before  them  in  the 
person  of  that  child ;  it  did  not  occur  to  them  that 
this  little  creature,  thus  thrown  upon  their  charity, 
was  destined  to  be  their  staff  and  stay  in  declining 
age — a  protector  to  their  daughters,  and  more  than 
son  to  themselves ;  all  this  was  then  unrevealed ; 
but  they  cheerfully  received  the  child  they  believed 
Providence  had  committed  to  their  care;  and  if 
ever  beneficence  was  rewarded,  it  was  in  this 
instance. 


THE  PRAYER  OF  FAITH  ANSWERED. 

I  ARRIVED  at  Mewry  one  Saturday  evening,  soon 
after  I  came  to  the  Charlemount  circuit,  and  was 
informed  that  I  must  visit  a  lady  who  was  supposed 
to  be  dying,  as  soon  as  I  could  make  it  convenient. 
I  was  informed  that  she  had  been  ill  a  considerable 
time  of  a  dropsical  complaint,  and  had  often  ex- 
pressed a  wish  to  converse  with  our  people,  and 
especially  to  be  visited  by  our  preachers ;  but  her 
husband  had  refused  his  consent,  dreading  the  re- 
proach that  he  thought  would  follow.  He  was  a 
Socinian,  and  a  man  of  some  eminence  in  the  town, 
and  in  his  congregation ;  but  the  hopeless  case  of 
a  wife  that  he  loved  had  at  length  roused  him  to 
comply  with  her  wishes.  I  accordingly  went,  and 
was  introduced  to  a  most  interesting  person ;  a 


144  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

young  lady  whose  every  look  seemed  to  say,  "  "Who 
will  show  me  any  good?"  Her  swollen  state,  with 
the  emaciation  of  her  still  beautiful  countenance, 
proclaimed  her  case  to  be  desperate ;  and  two  most 
lovely  children  added  to  the  afflictive  scene. 

Her  husband,  a  fine  young  man,  hung  over  her 
with  every  appearance  of  strong  affection ;  but  I 
could  perceive  that  there  was  a  feeling  concerning 
me  that  was  not  comfortable.  I  spoke  to  the  lady 
as  to  a  dying  person,  and  in  a  way  that  I  supposed 
he  would  perhaps  account  enthusiastic.  But  I  was 
encouraged  to  hope  for  the  sufferer,  as  I  found  she 
was  indeed  "  poor  in  spirit."  We  engaged  in  prayer, 
but  I  think  I  never  felt  myself  so  embarrassed.  I 
attempted  to  pray  for  her  as  a  dying  person,  but 
could  hardly  utter  a  sentence  without  hesitation. 
My  prayer  had,  indeed,  no  wings;  and  the  thought 
that  the  husband  was  watching  over  me,  so  greatly 
added  to  my  embarrassment,  that  I  thought  I  must 
give  over.  At  length  the  thought  of  her  recovery 
came  with  strange  force  into  my  mind,  and  I  ven- 
tured to  indulge  it.  Immediately  words  poured 
upon  me  faster  than  I  could  utter  them.  I  felt 
that  it  was  indeed  "the  prayer  of  faith,"  which, 
St.  James  says,  "  shall  save  the  sick."  I  seemed 
to  claim  in  her  behalf  a  return  to  life  at  the  Lord's 
hand.  I  at  length  concluded ;  but  was  almost  im- 
mediately tempted  to  think  I  had  given  way  to  a 
delusion  that  would  render  me  ridiculous,  and  do 
harm  to  unprepared  minds.  I  took  my  leave,  the 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  145 

afflicted  lady  requesting  that  I  would  soon  call 
again ;  and  the  husband,  with  an  astonished  coun- 
tenance, was  hardly  able  to  utter  even  the  common 
civilities  usual  at  parting. 

On  returning  to  my  quarters,  I  had  some  very 
painful  thoughts ;  fearing  that  the  tender  mind  of 
the  sufferer  might  be  wounded  by  tha  remarks  that 
would  probably  be  made,  in  such  a  family,  upon 
my  visionary  conduct.  The  hope  of  her  recovery 
seemed,  however,  to  abide  with  me ;  but  I  thought 
I  would  keep  it  to  myself,  and  pray  for  her  in  the 
family,  as  for  a  dying  person.  But  it  was  in  vain. 
The  same  strong  influence  set  my  prudence  at  de- 
fiance ;  and  I  was  constrained  to  ask  life  for  her  as 
at  her  own  habitation,  to  the  great  amazement  of 
my  pious  host  and  his  family.  On  the  Sabbath 
evening,  after  the  services  were  over,  I  again  visited 
my  patient,  and  again  amazed  all  who  were  assembled 
by  the  strange  confidence  and  importunity  of  my 
faith.  I  took  leave  of  her,  however,  with  a  strong 
exhortation  to  fix  her  mind  on  the  divine  atone- 
ment, and  to  aim  at  conformity  to  the  Son  of  God, 
in  his  prayer  to  the  Father — "  Not  my  will,  but 
thine  be  done." 

I  returned,  in  my  course,  at  the  end  of  six 
weeks,  and  found  my  very  amiable  sufferer  in  a 
state  rather  beyond  convalescence,  and  a  member 
of  the  society !  The  husband  had  dismissed  all 
opposition  ;  he  received  me  with  joy,  and  expressed 
his  gratitude  in  strong  terms.  He  would  have  me 

10 


146  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

to  dine  with  him ;  and  I  made  one  of  a  very  happy 
family.  In  the  afternoon  I  met  my  recovering 
patient  at  the  class,  all  alive  to  the  things  which 
make  for  our  peace. 

She  made  swift  progress,  and  soon  rejoiced  in 
"redemption  through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of 
her  sins." — Life  of  Rev.  H.  Moore. 


PART   III. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN 
THE  PUNISHMENT  OF  SIN,  DEFEAT  OF 
WICKED  PLANS,  &c. 

"How  oft  is  the  candle  of  the  wicked  put  out?  and  how  oft  cometh  their 
destruction  upon  them  ?    God  distributcth  sorrows  in  his  anger." — JOB  xxi.  17 


(147) 


SECTION   I. 

Intelligent  Agents  in  %  |)unis{jnttnl  of  Sin,  fa. 


CJ5 


THE  EMIGRANT'S  PERSECUTORS. 

A  NUMBER  of  persons,  in  the  north  of  England, 
once  determined  to  emigrate  to  South  Africa.  They 
had  a  great  dread  of  what  they  called  Methodism,  and 
refused  to  allow  a  young  man,  who  was  reputed  to 
belong  to  that  body  of  Christians,  to  go  with  them. 
They  had  not,  however,  been  many  days  at  sea, 
before  it  was  discovered,  that  notwithstanding  their 
most  strenuous  endeavors  to  prevent  the  exporta- 
tion of  Methodism,  they  had  got  an  excellent  old 
man  aboard,  who  privately  exhorted  his  fellow  pas- 
sengers to  fear  God,  and  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come.  The  flame  of  persecution  was  now  lighted 
up ;  and  Mr.  C.,  the  leader  of  the  party,  availed 
himself  of  every  opportunity  to  annoy  and  injure 
poor  Mr.  P.  In  the  course  of  the  passage,  his  wife 
and  son  were  taken  alarmingly  ill ;  but,  so  bitter 
was  the  spirit  which  prevailed  against  him,  that  it 

13*  (149) 


150  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

was  with  difficulty  he  obtained  even  the  medicines 
provided  by  government,  which  their  state  rendered 
absolutely  necessary.  The  above-mentioned  gentle- 
man, who  had  the  affairs  of  the  party  almost  wholly 
under  his  control,  frequently  threatened  not  only  to 
deprive  him  of  the  land  to  which  he  was  legally 
entitled,  but  of  all  the  privileges  of  the  settlement, 
unless  he  kept  his  religion  to  himself.  In  his 
menaces  and  designs,  this  petty  Nero  was  sup- 
ported by  three  or  four  others,  who  were  influenced 
by  a  similar  spirit.  The  earth,  however,  is  the 
Lord's,  and  "  though  hand  join  in  hand,  the  wicked 
shall  not  go  unpunished."  Two  only  of  those  per- 
secutors lived  to  see  the  settlement.  The  death  of 
one  was  occasioned  by  intemperance  and  dissipation 
while  at  sea.  The  head  of  the  party  himself  fell 
sick  immediately  after  his  arrival  at  Algoa  Bay,  and 
there  expired,  in  dreadful  agony,  both  mental  and 
bodily.  He  therefore  never  set  foot  on  the  land 
which  he  had  so  arrogantly  affected  to  command. 
Another  of  his  comrades  was  taken  off  suddenly, 
and  carried  to  the  grave  along  with  him  !  A  fourth, 
being  some  time  afterward  provoked  by  his  com- 
panion, the  only  survivor  of  the  five,  presented  his 
fowling-piece  at  him,  and  lodged  the  contents  in  his 
breast;  for  which  he  was,  of  course,  arrested,  and 
conveyed  to  prison  in  Graham's  Town.  But  his 
spirit  and  conduct  having  apparently  rendered  life 
burdensome,  and  filled  his  dungeon  with  insuffera- 
ble gloom,  the  unhappy  wretch  hung  himself  in  his 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  151 

cell !  "  Woe  unto  the  wicked !  it  shall  be  ill  with 
him ;  for  the  reward  of  his  hands  shall  be  given 
him :  but  say  ye  to  the  righteous,  it  shall  be  well 
with  him ;  they  shall  eat  the  fruit  of  their  doings." 
The  poor  old  Methodist  now  began,  more  ear- 
nestly than  ever,  to  call  all  around  him  to  repent- 
ance, and  actually  became  the  virtual  head  of  the 
party ;  he  obtained  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  people, 
and  was  ever  after  looked  up  to  as  their  chief 
counsellor  in  all  matters  of  importance.  His  rustic 
cottage  was  no  sooner  built  than  converted  into  a 
place  of  worship,  wherein  Divine  service  was  regu- 
larly performed,  until,  by  steady  zeal  and  praise- 
worthy exertions,  they  were  enabled  to  erect  a  neat 
little  chapel,  which  constitutes  a  lasting  honor  to 
his  memory.  This  good  man  is  now  no  more ;  but, 
although  dead,  by  his  works  he  still  speaketh ;  and 
his  name  is  held  in  the  highest  estimation  by  all 
who  knew  him. 


DR.  COLE'S  COMMISSION. 

IT  is  related,  in  the  papers  of  Richard  Earl  of 
Cork,  that  towards  the  conclusion  of  Queen  Mary's 
reign,  a  commission  was  signed  for  the  persecution 
of  the  Irish  Protestants ;  and,  to  give  greater  weight 
to  this  important  affair,  Dr.  Cole  was  nominated 
one  of  the  commission.  The  doctor,  in  his  way  to 
Dublin,  stopped  at  Chester,  where  he  was  waited 


152  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

upon  by  the  mayor;  to  whom,  in  the  course  of 
conversation,  he  imparted  the  object  of  his  mission, 
and  exhibited  the  leather  box  which  contained  his 
credentials.  The  mistress  of  the  inn,  where  this 
interview  took  place,  being  a  Protestant,  and  hav- 
ing overheard  the  conversation,  seized  the  oppor- 
tunity, while  the  doctor  was  attending  the  mayor 
to  the  bottom  of  the  stairs,  of  exchanging  the  com- 
mission for  a  dirty  pack  of  cards,  on  the  top  of 
which  she  facetiously  turned  up  the  knave  of  clubs. 
The  doctor,  little  suspecting  the  trick,  secured  his 
box,  pursued  his  journey,  and  arrived  in  Dublin  on 
the  7th  of  October,  1558.  He  then  lost  no  time  in 
presenting  himself  before  Lord  Fitzwalter  and  the 
privy  council ;  to  whom,  after  an  explanatory 
speech,  the  box  was  presented,  which,  to  the 
astonishment  of  all  present,  was  found  to  contain 
only  a  pack  of  cards !  The  doctor,  greatly  cha- 
grined, returned  instantly  to  London,  to  have  his 
commission  renewed;  but  while  waiting  a  second 
time  on  the  coast  for  a  favorable  wind,  the  news 
reached  him  of  the  queen's  decease,  which  prevented 
the  persecution,  that  would  have  otherwise  proved 
so  awful  a  calamity.  Queen  Elizabeth  was  so  much 
gratified  with  these  facts,  which  were  related  to  her 
by  Lord  Fitzwalter  on  his  return  to  England,  that 
she  sent  for  the  woman,  whose  name  was  Elizabeth 
Edwards,  and  gave  her  a  pension  of  forty  pounds  a 
year,  during  her  life. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  153 


THE  MURDERER  AND  HIS  SINGULAR  WOUND. 

A  GENTLEMAN  who  was  very  ill,  sending  for  Dr. 
Lake,  of  England,  told  him  that  he  found  he 
must  die,  and  gave  him  the  following  account  of 
the  cause  of  his  death.  He  had,  about  a  fortnight 
before,  been  riding  over  Hounslow-heath,  where 
several  boys  were  playing  at  cricket.  One  of  them, 
striking  the  ball,  hit  him  just  on  the  toe  with  it, 
looked  him  In  the  face,  and  ran  away.  His  toe 
pained  him  extremely.  As  soon  as  he  came  to 
Brentford,  he  sent  for  a  surgeon,  who  was  for  cut- 
ting it  off.  But,  unwilling  to  suffer  that,  he  went 
on  to  London.  When  he  arrived  there,  he  imme- 
diately called  another  surgeon  to  examine  it,  who 
told  him  his  foot  must  be  cut  off.  But  neither 
would  he  hear  of  this  ;  and  so,  before  the  next  day, 
the  mortification  seized  his  leg,  and  in  a  day  or  two 
more  struck  up  into  his  body.  Dr.  Lake  asked  him, 
whether  he  knew  the  boy  that  struck  the  ball  ? 
JIc  answered,  "About  ten  years  ago,  I  was  riding 
over  Hounslow-heath,  where  an  old  man  ran  by 
my  horse's  side,  begged  me  to  relieve  him,  and  said 
he  was  almost  famished.  I  bade  him  begone.  He 
kept  up  with  me  still ;  upon  which  I  threatened  to 
beat  him.  Finding  that  he  took  no  notice  of  this, 
I  drew  my  sword,  and  with  one  blow  killed  him. 
A  boy  about  four  years  old,  who  was  with  him, 


154  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

screamed  out,  '  His  father  was  killed !'  His  face  I 
perfectly  remember.  That  boy  it  ivas  wlio  struck  tlie 
ball  against  me,  which  is  the  cause  of  my  death''' 


JOHN  EYRE'S  NEPHEW. 

AN  anecdote  is  related  of  John  Eyre,  a  man 
whose  name  is  recorded  in  the  annals  of  crime,  as 
possessing  .£30,000,  and  yet  being  sentenced  to 
transportation  for  stealing  eleven  quires  of  writing 
paper;  which  shows,  in  a  striking  manner,  the 
depravity  of  the  human  heart,  and  may  help  to 
account  for  the  meanness  of  the  crime  of  which  he 
stood  convicted.  An  uncle  of  his,  a  gentleman  of 
considerable  property,  made  his  will  in  favor  of  a 
clergyman  who  was  his  intimate  friend,  and  com- 
mitted it,  unknown  to  the  rest  of  the  family,  to 
the  custody  of  the  divine.  However,  not  long  be- 
fore his  death,  having  altered  his  mind  with  regard 
to  the  disposal  of  his  wealth,  he  made  another 
will,  in  which  he  left  the  clergyman  only  £500, 
bequeathing  the  bulk  of  his  large  property  to  his 
nephew  and  heir-at-law,  Mr.  Eyre.  Soon  after  the 
old  gentleman's  death,  Mr.  Eyre,  rummaging  over 
his  drawers,  found  this  last  will,  and  perceiving 
the  legacy  of  .£500  in  it  for  the  clergyman,  without 
any  hesitation  or  scruple  of  conscience,  he  put  it 
into  the  fire,  and  took  possession  of  the  whole  effects, 
in  consequence  of  his  uncle  being  supposed  to  die 


REMARKABL^  PROVIDENCES.  155 

intestate.  The  clergyman  coming  to  town  soon 
after,  and  inquiring  into  the  circumstances  of  his 
old  friend's  death,  asked  if  he  had  made  a  will  be- 
fore he  died.  On  being  answered  by  Mr.  Eyre  in 
the  negative,  the  clergyman  very  coolly  put  his 
hand  in  his  pocket,  and  pulled  out  the  former  will, 
which  had  been  committed  to  his  care,  in  which 
Mr.  Eyre  had  bequeathed  him  the  whole  of  his 
fortune,  amounting  to  several  thousand  pounds, 
excepting  a  legacy  of  £2 00  to  his  nephew. 


SECTION   II. 

Ifamitffigmt  Agents  in  %  Ipimisjmcnt  0f 


AWFUL  DEATH  OF  A  PERSECUTOR. 

IN  Cork  my  reception  was  very  encouraging,  and 
a  door  was  opened  .to  me  of  great  usefulness.  At 
Dunmanway,  one  of  our  preaching  places,  a  re- 
markable event  occurred  soon  after  my  coining  upon 
the  circuit.  The  whole  town  was  subject  to  one 

landlord,  Sir  R.  C ,  a  young  man  of  the  most 

profligate  habits.  He  had  appeared  to  be  much 
displeased  with  the  change  which  had  taken  place  in 
the  town,  and  with  the  preachers  who  had  caused 
it;  and  he  had  frequently  threatened  that  he  would 
put  a  stop  to  such  proceedings.  A  good  man  ob- 
served, "  He  may  certainly  do  so,  if  God  permit,  for 
no  man  here  can  resist  him ;  he  is  greater  in  Dun- 
manway than  King  George  himself."  He  at  length 
threatened  that  he  would  throw  the  next  preacher 
that  came,  into  the  lake  which  fronted  his  mansion. 
When  the  time  of  my  going  there  came,  I  found 

(156) 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  157 

the  Lord  bad  most  awfully  prevented  the  execution 
of  .his  purpose.  He  had  himself  been  thrown  into 
it  the  evening  before,  where  he  miserably  perished. 
His  body  was  recovered  after  several  hours'  search  ; 
and  when  I  rode  into  the  town,  the  corpse  lay  at 
the  public-house,  waiting  the  coroner's  inquest.  I 
went  to  look  at  the  body ;  it  wras  a  dreadful  spec- 
tacle. He  was  a  tall,  athletic  young  man,  about 
twenty-two  years  of  age.  The  body  was  much 
swollen  by  the  water,  and  his  countenance  dread- 
fully disfigured  by  the  large  eels  which  abounded 
in  the  lake.  He  was  interred  the  following  evening. 
I  received  the  following  information  respecting  his 
way  of  life,  and  his  melancholy  end. 

He  had  entered  the  army  at  an  early  age ;  but, 
after  offending  many  by  his  excesses,  he  was  ulti- 
mately obliged  to  quit  the  regiment  in  consequence 
of  having  challenged  his  commanding  officer.  He 
then,  at  about  nineteen,  married  a  most  amiable 
young  lady,  who  was  obliged  to  leave  him  on 
account  of  his  profligacy.  Living  by  himself  at 
the  mansion-house,  and  being  at  a  loss  for  some 
amusement  on  the  Lord's  day,  he  determined  to 
have  an  aquatic  excursion  on  the  lake.  One  of  the 
oars  of  his  boat  had  been  broken,  but  this  could 
not  stop  him.  Timber  was  procured,  and  a  piece 
sawed  from  it  in  the  churchyard,  where  the  only 
sawpit  was  situated,  and  the  oar  was  thus  made 
during  divine  service  in  the  forenoon.  In  the 
afternoon  he  embarked,  with  a  young  gentleman, 
14 


158  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

the  curate  of  the  parish ;  and  after  sailing  for  some 
time,  he  resolved  to  know  in  how  short  a  time  ,he 
could  make  the  circuit  of  the  lake.  The  rowers 
struck  off,  and  he  remained  for  some  time  behold- 
ing them,  with  his  watch  in  his  hand.  The  slow- 
ness of  their  motions  offended  him ;  and  after  many 
oaths  and  execrations,  he  pulled  one  of  them  from 
the  bench,  and  sat  down  himself,  saying,  he  would 
show  them  how  to  row.  He  dipped  too  deep,  and 
making  a  violent  pull,  the  new  oar  snapped  like  a 

twig,   and   Sir  R was  precipitated  backward 

into  the  lake.  There  were  above  three  hundred 
people  soon  collected  on  the  shore,  and  every  effort 
was  made  to  save  him,  but  in  vain.  The  body  was 
not  recovered  until  Monday  morning,  and  in  that 
dreadful  state  I  beheld  him  soon  after  I  entered 
the  town  in  the  afternoon.  The  funeral  passed  on 
the  second  evening,  close  by  the  place  where  I  was 
preaching.  All  opposition  was  now  at  an  end,  and 
"  the  word  of  the  Lord  had  free  course,  and  was 
glorified  in"  the  conversion  of  many  souls. 


DEACON  EATON  AND  THE  INFIDEL. 

DEACON  EATON,  a  missionary  on  the  Erie  canal, 
once  came  in  contact  with  an  infidel  on  a  canal 
boat,  who  urged  him  into  a  dispute  about  the  divi- 
nity of  Jesus  Christ.  At  first  he  proposed  to  argue 
the  question  on  the  ground  of  the  Scriptures,  but 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  159 

being  confounded  by  Deacon  Eaton's  reading  1 
John,  chapter  v.,  he  declared  that  the  Bible  was 
nothing  but  man's  invention.  "  I  saw,"  says  Deacon 
E.,  "  that  he  appeared  to  be  very  angry,  and  left 
him ;  but  during  the  whole  afternoon,  whenever  he 
had  an  opportunity,  he  would  vent  some  of  his  spite 
upon  me.  When  we  came  to  Syracuse,  where  we 
changed  packets,  I  thought  I  should  stop,  and  was 
bidding  the  passengers  farewell.  Among  the  rest 
I  shook  hands  with  the  infidel's  wife,  and  said  to 
her,  1 1  hope  you  will  alter  your  belief  before  I  see 
you  again.'  He  saw  me  talking  to  her,  and  coming 
along,  struck  off  my  hand  with  which  I  held  hers, 
and  said,  '  Let  the  woman  alone.  If  you  wish  to 
attack  any  one,  try  me,  but  don't  abuse  the 
woman.' 

"  I  asked  his  pardon,  and  told  him  I  intended  no 
abuse  to  any  one.  I  finally  concluded  to  go  in  the 
packet,  and  as  the  boat  started  many  of  the  pas- 
sengers went  on  deck,  and  among  the  rest  the 
infidel  and  his  wife.  I  was  in  the  cabin  when  a 
man  came  down  in  great  haste,  and  inquired  for  a 
bottle  of  camphor ;  he  said  a  man  had  fainted  on 
deck.  Without  knowing  who  it  was,  it  struck  me 
immediately  that  it  was  the  infidel,  and  that  God 
had  destroyed  him.  I  went  on  deck,  and  sure 
enough  the  infidel  was  dead.  A  gentleman  with 
whom  he  was  conversing,  said  he  was  railing 
against  me,  and  saying  I  was  spunging  my  living, 
when  he  fell  in  a  moment  with  a  half-uttered  curse 


1GO  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

on  his  lips.  They  were  trying  to  bring  him  back 
to  life,  but  I  saw  that  there  were  no  hopes  that  he 
would  ever  breathe  again.  He  was  dead  the  mo- 
ment he  reached  the  deck,  and  then  presented  the 
most  awful  object  I  had  ever  looked  upon.  His 
eyes  were  open,  and  his  countenance  indicated 
woful  despair.  It  was  a  solemn  moment,  as  still 
as  the  house  of  death.  One  of  the  boatmen  said 
to  me,  '  It  will  not  do  to  fight  against  God.' " 


FALSEHOOD  AWFULLY  REALIZED. 

J W was  a  laborer  employed  on  the 

Liverpool  and  Manchester  railway.  During  part 
of  the  time  in  which  he  was  thus  employed,  he 
lodged  at  Edge  Hill,  near  Liverpool.  There  is 
reason  to  believe  that  he  was  a  young  man  who 
had  "  no  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes ;"  that  he  was, 
in  the  expressive  language  of  an  inspired  apostle, 
"  without  God  in  the  world  :"  Eph.  ii.  12.  Becom- 
ing acquainted  with  a  young  woman,  he  succeeded 
in  seducing  her  from  the  paths  of  virtue ;  and  soon 
after,  he  removed  to  a  new  lodging,  with  a  view  to 
avoid  the  consequences  of  his  conduct.  The  Al- 
mighty, in  mercy  to  the  sinner,  sent  affliction  by 
illness  to  overtake  him,  and  thus  gave  him  time 
for  repentance,  and  an  opportunity  to  seek  the  love 
and  favor  of  the  Lord.  But  he  refused  the  mercy 
and  hardened  his  heart.  In  the  course  of  the  last 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  1C1 

week  before  he  resumed  his  work,  he  called  upon 
the  person  with  whom  he  had  formerly  lodged,  and 
among  other  things,  asked  whether  old  George  (the 
young  woman's  father)  ever  came  there  to  inquire 
after  him.  She  replied  that  he  did,  and  mentioned 

the  time  of  his  last  inquiry.     "  Oh,"  said  W , 

"  when  he  comes  again,  tell  him  that  I  was  killed 
on  the  railway ;  and  that  I  was  buried  in  Childwall 
churchyard."  Childwall  is  a  village  about  a  mile 
from  part  of  the  railway,  and  about  four  miles  from 
Liverpool.  Within  a  day  or  two,  old  George  called, 
and  the  above  iniquitous  and  awful  assertion  was 
made.  Deceived  by  the  falsehood,  the  poor  old 
man  went  away  mourning  over  the  disgrace  of  his 
daughter,  and  the  supposed  sad  end  of  her  base 
seducer.  But  the  delusion  was  soon  to  be  dissi- 
pated; the  lie  told,  with  a  view  to  evade  the  con- 
sequences of  previous  guilt,  was  awfully,  singularly, 
literally  realized ;  and  the  wretched  man,  who  had 
so  impiously  trifled  with  death,  was  hurried,  in  a 
moment,  before  the  bar  of  his  Maker. 

On  the  following  Monday  morning,  May  17, 1830, 
the  laborer  returned  to  work,  and  on  the  same  day 
entered  upon  his  everlasting  state.  Being  on  the 
road  at  the  time  when  an  engine,  to  which  several 
wagons  employed  to  convey  rubbish  were  attached, 
was  passing,  he  was  entangled  with  the  apparatus, 
felled  to  the  earth,  and  his  body  so  dreadfully  man- 
gled, as  to  occasion  instantaneous  death.  Thus  the 

most  affecting,  and,  to  him,  important  part  of  his 
11 


102  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

wicked  fabrication,  was  made,  by  the  mysterious 
providence  of  God,  a  solemn  reality ;  and  that  of 
which  he  had  no  idea  when  he  uttered  the  language 
above  related,  turned  out,  within  a  few  days,  to  be 
a  fact,  namely,  "  That  he  was  killed  on  the  rail- 
way!" 

But  there  was  to  be  a  further  literal  accomplish- 
ment of  his  words,  which,  although  to  him  a  matter 
of  no  consequence  after  the  spirit  had  quitted  the 
body,  should  not  be  passed  over  unobserved,  as  it 
tends  to  show,  in  a  still  more  striking  manner,  that 
the  Supreme  Arbiter  of  life  and  death  does  indeed 
sometimes  take  men  at  their  word,  and  fulfil  their 
imprecations,  their  thoughtless  wishes,  or  their 
blasphemous  expressions,  even  to  the  very  letter. 

J W had  no  immediate  relations  in  the 

neighborhood  in  which  he  so  unexpectedly  expired. 
But,  since  his  removal  to  Edge  Hill,  he  had  lodged 
with  a  family  who  possessed  a  burial-place  in  Child- 
wall  churchyard.  Some  of  his  fellow  workmen 
proposed  his  interment  at  Walton,  a  village  three 
miles  north  of  Liverpool :  but  others,  on  account 
of  the  nearness  of  Childwall,x urged  his  burial  there ; 
and  in  little  more  than  a  week  after  he  had  delibe- 
rately uttered  a  falsehood  to  deceive  one  he  had 
deeply  injured,  his  own  awful  words  were  fulfilled. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  1G3 


THE  TRAVELLER  AND  THE  DOG. 

A  GENTLEMAN  being  benighted,  in  a  lonely  place, 
stopped  at  an  inn.  After  supper  he  retired  to  rest. 
When  he  opened  his  room  door,  he  was  surprised 
to  see  a  strange  dog,  which  had  followed  in  the 
afternoon,  rush  in.  After  several  fruitless  efforts 
to  drive  him  out,  the  gentleman  concluded  to  let 
him  stay,  thinking  he  would  do  no  harm.  When 
the  gentleman  began  to  prepare  for  bed,  the  dog 
ran  to  a  closet  door,  and  then  ran  back  to  him, 
looking  very  wistfully  at  him.  This  the  dog  did 
several  times,  which  so  far  excited  the  curiosity  of 
the  gentleman,  that  he  opened  the  closet  door ;  and 
to  his  great  terror,  saw  a  person  laid  with  his  throat 
cut.  Struck  with  horror,  he  began  to  think  of  his 
own  state.  To  attempt  to  run  away  he  supposed 
would  be  unsafe.  He  therefore  began  to  barricade 
the  door  with  the  furniture  of  the  room,  and  laid 
himself  on  the  bed  with  his  clothes  on.  About  mid- 
night two  men  came  to  the  door  and  requested  ad- 
mittance, stating  that  the  gentleman  that  slept 
there  the  preceding  night,  had  forgotten  something 
and  was  returned  for  it.  He  replied,  the  room  was 
his,  and  no  one  should  enter  his  room  until  morn- 
ing. They  went  away,  but  soon  returned  with  two 
or  three  other  men,  and  demanded  entrance;  but 
the  gentleman,  with  an  austere  voice,  threatened 
if  they  did  not  desist,  he  would  defend  himself. 


1G4  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

Awed  apparently  by  this  bold  reply,  they  left  him 
and  disturbed  him  no  more. 

In  the  morning  he  inquired  for  a  barber;  one 
was  immediately  sent  for,  when  the  gentleman  took 
the  opportunity  of  inquiring  into  the  character  of 
his  host.  The  barber  replied,  he  was  a  neighbor, 
and  did  not  wish  to  say  anything  to  his  disadvan- 
tage. The  gentleman  still  urged  his  inquiry,  assur- 
ing him  he  had  nothing  to  fear,  till  the  barber  said, 
"  Sir,  if  I  must  tell  the  truth,  they  bear  a  very  bad 
character,  for  it  has  been  reported,  that  persons 
have  called  here,  who  have  never  been  heard  of 
afterwards."  "  Can  you,"  said  the  gentleman,  "  keep 
a  secret?"  On  his  answering  in  the  affirmative,  the 
gentleman  opened  the  closet  door,  and  showed  him 
the  person  with  his  throat  cut;  he  then  directed 
the  barber  to  procure  a  constable,  and  proper  assist- 
ance with  all  speed,  which  was  done  immediately, 
and  the  host  and  hostess  were  both  taken  into  cus- 
tody, to  take  their  trial  at  the  next  assize.  They 
took  their  trial  and  were  found  guilty  of  the  mur- 
der, condemned  and  executed.  The  dog  was  never 
seen  by  the  gentleman  afterwards. 


SECTION   III. 

gnams  anb  Uttntal  (femks  in  %  |juras{j 
mat  of  Sin,  #c. 


MURDER  CONFESSED  IN  A  DREAM. 

THE  following  is  translated  from  a  respectable 
publication  at  Basle,  Switzerland  : — 

A  person  who  worked  in  a  brewery  quarrelled 
with  one  of  his  fellow-workmen,  and  struck  him.  in 
such  a  manner  that  he  died  upon  the  spot.  No 
other  person  was  witness  to  the  deed.  He  then 
took  the  dead  body  and  threw  it  into  a  large  fire 
under  the  boiling-vat,  where  it  was  in  a  short  time 
so  completely  consumed,  that  no  traces  of  its  exist- 
ence remained.  On  the  following  day,  when  the 
man  was  missed,  the  murderer  observed,  very  coolly, 
that  he  had  perceived  his  fellow-servant  to  have 
been  intoxicated,  and  that  he  had  probably  fallen 
from  a  bridge  which  he  had  to  cross  in  his  way 
home,  and  been  drowned.  For  the  space  of  seven 

years  after  no  one  entertained  any  suspicion  of  the 

(165) 


166  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

real  state  of  the  fact.  At  the  end  of  this  period, 
the  murderer  was  again  employed  in  the  same 
brewery.  He  was  then  induced  to  reflect  on  the 
singularity  of  the  circumstance  that  his  crime  had 
remained  so  long  concealed.  Having  retired  one 
evening  to  rest,  one  of  the  other  workmen,  who 
slept  with  him,  hearing  him  say  in  his  sleep,  "  It 
is  now  fully  seven  years  ago,"  asked  him,  "  What 
was  it  you  did  seven  years  ago?"  "I  put  him," 
he  replied,  still  speaking  in  his  sleep,  "  under  the 
boiling-vat."  As  the  affair  was  not  entirely  forgot- 
ten, it  immediately  occurred  to  the  man  that  his 
bedfellow  must  allude  to  the  person  who  was  miss- 
ing about  that  time,  and  he  accordingly  gave  in- 
formation of  what,  he  had  heard  to  a  magistrate. 
The  murderer  was  apprehended;  and,  though  at 
first  he  denied  that  he  knew  anything  of  the  mat- 
ter, a  confession  of  his  crime  was  at  length  obtained 
from  him,  for  which  he  suffered  condign  punish- 
ment. 


MURDER  REVEALED  BY  A  DREAM. 

IN  the  village  of  Manchester,  Vermont,  K.  Colvin, 
a  man  of  respectable  connexions  and  character, 
suddenly  and  mysteriously  disappeared ;  all  search 
and  inquiry  proved  in  vain,  until  a  person  dreamed 
that  he  had  appeared  to  him,  and  informed  him 
that  he  had  been  murdered  by  two  persons,  whom 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  1G7 

he  named,  and  that  lie  had  been  buried  in  such  a 
place,  a  few  rods  distant  from  a  sapling,  bearing  a 
particular  mark,  which  he  minutely  described. 
The  same  dream  occurred  three  times  successively 
before  he  awoke,  and  each  time  the  deceased  seemed 
very  solicitous  for  him  to  follow.  Upon  awaking, 
his  feelings  were  wrought  up  to  such  a  degree,  and 
he  was  so  impressed  with  a  belief  of  the  fact,  that 
he  determined  to  collect  some  friends,  and  follow 
the  directions  laid  down  in  the  dream.  He  did  so, 
and  discovered,  to  his  great  surprise,  not  only  a 
tree  marked  precisely  as  described,  but  also  the 
appearance  of  a  grave ;  and,  upon  digging,  found  a 
human  skeleton !  After  this  discovery,  Stephen  and 
Jesse  Brown,  the  persons  implicated  in  the  dream, 
were  apprehended  and  put  in  confinement,  and, 
after  a  few  days,  confessed  their  crime.  They  were 
tried,  convicted,  and  sentenced  to  be  executed,  on 
the  18th  of  January,  1820. 


BUNYAN  AND  THE  JAILER. 

THE  respectability  of  Banyan's  character  and  the 
propriety  of  his  conduct,  while  in  prison  at  Bedford, 
appear  to  have  operated  very  powerfully  on  the 
mind  of  the  jailer,  who  showed  him  much  kindness, 
in  permitting  him  to  go  out  and  visit  his  friends 
occasionally,  and  once  to  take  a  journey  to  London. 

The  following  anecdote  is   told  respecting  the 


168  REMARKABLE    PROVIDKM  KS. 

jailer  and  Mr.  Bunyan  : — It  being  known  to  some 
of  his  persecutors,  in  London,  that  he  was  often 
out  of  prison,  they  sent  an  officer  to  talk  with  the 
jailer  on  the  subject;  and,  in  order  to  discover  the 
fact,  he  was  to  get  there  in  the  middle  of  the  night. 
Bunyan  was  at  home  with  his  family,  but  so  rest- 
less that  he  could  not  sleep  ;  he  therefore  acquainted 
his  wife  that,  though  the  jailer  had  given  him  liberty 
to  stay  till  the  morning,  yet,  from  his  uneasiness, 
he  must  immediately  return.  He  did  so,  and  the 
jailer  blamed  him  for  coming  in  at  such  an  unsea- 
sonable hour.  Early  in  the  morning  the  messenger 
came,  and  interrogating  the  jailer,  said,  "  Are  all 
the  prisoners  safe  ?"  "  Yes."  "  Is  John  Bunyan 
safe  ?"  "  Yes."  "  Let  me  see  him."  He  was  called, 
and  appeared,  and  all  was  well.  After  the  messen- 
ger was  gone,  the  jailer,  addressing  Mr.  Bunyan, 
said,  "  Well,  you  may  go  in  and  out  again  just  when 
you  think  proper,  for  you  know  when  to  return 
better  than  I  can  tell  you." 


A  REMARKABLE  DREAM. 

THE  proof  of  the  truth  of  the  following  statement, 
taken  from  the  Courier  de  I'Europe,  rests  not  only 
upon  the  known  veracity  of  the  narrative,  but  upon 
the  fact  that  the  whole  occurrence  is  registered  in 
the  judicial  records  of  the  criminal  trials  of  the 
Province  of  Languedoc.  We  give  it  as  we  heard 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  109 

it  from  the  lips  of  the  dreamer,  as  nearly  as  possible 
in  his  own  words. 

As  the  junior  partner  of  a  commercial  house  at 
Lyons,  I  had  been  travelling  for  some  time.  In  the 
month  of  June,  1761,  I  arrived  at  a  town  in  Lan- 
guedoc,  where  I  had  never  before  been.  I  put  up 
at  a  quiet  inn  in  the  suburbs,  and  being  very 
much  fatigued,  ordered  dinner  at  once,  and  went 
to  bed  almost  immediately  after,  determined  to 
begin  very  early  in  the  morning  my  visit  to  the 
different  merchants. 

I  was  no  sooner  in  bed  than  I  fell  into  a  deep 
sleep,  and  had  a  dream  that  made  the  strongest 
impression  upon  me. 

I  thought  that  I  had  arrived  at  the  same  town, 
but  in  the  middle  of  the  day  instead  of  the  even- 
ing, as  was  really  the  case — that  I  had  stopped  at 
the  very  same  inn,  and  gone  out  immediately  as 
an  unoccupied  stranger  would  do,  to  see  whatever 
was  worthy  of  observation  in  the  place.  I  walked 
down  the  main  street,  crossing  it  at  right  angles, 
and  apparently  leading  into  the  country.  I  had 
not  gone  very  far  when  I  came  to  a  church,  the 
Gothic  portal  of  which  I  stood  to  examine.  When 
I  had  satisfied  my  curiosity,  I  advanced  to  a  by- 
path which  branched  off  from  the  main  street. 
Obeying  an  impulse  which  I  could  neither  account 
for  nor  control,  I  struck  into  this  path,  though  it 
was  winding,  rugged,  and  unfrequented,  and  pre- 
sently reached  a  miserable  cottage,  in  front  of 

15 


170  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

which  was  a  garden  covered  with  weeds.  I  had 
no  difficulty  in  getting  into  the  garden,  for  the 
hedge  had  several  gaps  in  it  wide  enough  to  admit 
four  carts  abreast.  I  approached  an  old  well  which 
stood,  solitary  and  gloomy,  in  a  distant  corner,  and 
looking  down  into  it  I  beheld  distinctly,  without 
any  possibility  of  mistake,  a  corpse  which  had  been 
stabbed  in  several  places.  I  counted  the  deep 
wounds  and  the  wide  gashes  whence  the  blood  was 
flowing. 

I  would  have  cried  out ;  but  my  tongue  clove  to 
the  roof  of  my  mouth.  At  this  moment  I  awoke 
with  my  hair  on  end,  trembling  in  every  limb,  and 
cold  drops  of  perspiration  bedewed  my  forehead, — 
awoke  to  find  myself  comfortably  in  bed,  my  trunk 
standing  beside  me ;  birds  warbling  cheerfully 
around  the  window ;  while  a  young  clear  voice 
was  singing  a  provincial  air  in  the  next  room,  and 
the  morning  sun  was  shining  brightly  through  the 
curtain. 

I  sprang  from  my  bed,  dressed  myself,  and  as  it 
was  yet  very  early,  I  thought  I  would  seek  an 
appetite  for  my  breakfast  by  a  morning  walk.  I 
went  accordingly  into  the  street  and  strolled  along. 
The  further  I  went  the  stronger  became  the  con- 
fused recollections  of  the  objects  that  presented 
themselves  to  my  view.  "  It  is  very  strange,"  I 
thought,  "  I  have  never  been  here  before,  and  I 
could  swear  that  I  have  seen  this  house  and  the 
next,  and  that  other  on  the  left."  On  I  went  till 


REMAKKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  171 

I  came  to  the  corner  of  the  street  crossing  the  one 
down  which  I  had  come.  For  the  first  time  I  had 
remembered  my  dream,  but  put  away  the  idea  as 
too  absurd ;  still  at  every  step  I  took,  some  fresh 
point  of  resemblance  struck  me.  "Am  I  still 
creaming  ?"  I  exclaimed,  not  without  a  momentary 
thrill  through  my  whole  frame.  "Is  the  agree- 
ment to  be  perfect  to  the  very  end  ?"  Before  long 
I  reached  the  church  with  the  same  architectural 
features  that  had  attracted  my  notice  in  the  dream, 
and  then  the  by-path  that  had  presented  itself  to 
my  imagination  a  few  hours  before — there  was  no 
possibility  of  doubt  or  mistake.  Every  tree,  every 
turn  was  familiar  to  me.  I  was  not  at  all  of  a 
superstitious  turn ;  and  was  wholly  engrossed  in 
the  practical  details  of  commercial  business.  My 
mind  had  never  dwelt  upon  the  hallucinations,  the 
presentiments  that  science  either  denies  or  is  unable 
to  explain;  but  I  confess  that  I  now  felt  myself  spell- 
bound as  by  some  enchantment — and  with  Pascal's 
words  on  my  lips — "  A  continued  dream  would  be 
equal  to  reality" — I  hurried  forward,  no  longer 
doubting  that  the  next  moment  would  bring  me  to 
the  cottage,  and  this  really  was  the  case. 

In  all  its  outward  circumstances  it  corresponded 
to  what  I  had  seen  in  my  dream.  Who  then  would 
wonder  that  I  determined  to  ascertain  whether  the 
coincidence  would  hold  good  in  every  other  point  ? 
I  entered  the  garden,  and  went  directly  to  the  spot 
on  which  I  had  seen  the  well ;  but  here  the  resem- 


172  •        REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

blance  /ailed — well  there  was  none.  I  looked  in 
every  direction,  examined  the  whole  garden,  went 
round  the  cottage,  which  appeared  to  be  inhabited, 
although  no  person  was  visible,  but  nowhere  could 
I  find  any  vestige  of  a  well. 

I  made  no  attempt  to  enter  the  cottage,  but 
hastened  back  to  the  hotel  in  a  state  of  agitation 
difficult  to  describe.  I  could  not  make  up  my  mind 
to  pass  unnoticed  such  extraordinary  coincidences ; 
but  how  was  any  clue  to  be  obtained  to  the  terrible 
mystery  ? 

I  went  to  the  landlord,  and  after  chatting  with 
him  for  some  time  on  different  subjects,  I  came  to 
the  point,  and  asked  him  directly  to  whom  the  cot- 
tage belonged  that  was  on  the  by-road  which  I  de- 
scribed to  him. 

"I  wonder,  sir,"  said  he,  "what  made  you  take 
such  particular  notice  of  such  a  wretched  little 
hovel.  It  is  inhabited  by  an  old  man  with  his  wife, 
who  have  the  character  of  being  very  morose  and 
unsociable.  They  rarely  leave  the  house,  see  no- 
body, and  nobody  goes  to  see  them ;  but  they  are 
quiet  enough,  and  I  never  heard  anything  against 
them  beyond  this.  Of  late,  their  very  existence 
see  us  to  be  forgotten ;  and  I  believe,  sir,  that  you 
are  the  first  for  years,  has  turned  your  steps  to  the 
deserted  spot." 

These  details,  far  from  satisfying  my  curiosity, 
did  but  provoke  it  the  more.  Snatching  my  hat, 
I  cried,  "  I  will  go,  come  what  may  !" 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  173 

I  repaired  to  the  nearest  magistrate,  told  him  the 
object  of  my  visit,  and  related  the  whole  circum- 
stance briefly  and  clearly.  I  saw  distinctly  that  he 
\vas  much  impressed  by  my  statement. 

"  It  is,  indeed,  very  strange,"  said  he ;  "  after 
what  has  happened,  I  do  not  think  I  am  at  liberty 
to  leave  the  matter  to  further  inquiry.  I  will  place 
two  of  the  police  at  your  command.  Go  once  more 
to  the  hovel,  see  its  inhabitants,  and  search  every 
part  of  it.  You  may,  perhaps,  make  some  impor- 
tant discovery." 

I  suffered  but  a  few  moments  to  elapse  before  I 
was  on  my  way,  accompanied  by  the  two  officers, 
and  we  soon  reached  the  cottage.  We  knocked, 
and  after  waiting  some  time  an  old  man  opened  the 
door.  He  received  us  somewhat  uncivilly,  but 
showed  no  mark  of  suspicion,  nor,  indeed,  of  any 
other  emotion,  when  we  told  him  we  wished  to 
search  the  house. 

"  Very  well,  gentlemen,  as  fast  and  as  soon  as 
you  like,"  was  his  reply. 

"  Have  you  a  well  here  ?"  I  inquired. 

"  No,  sir ;  we  are  obliged  to  go  for  water  to  a 
spring  at  a  considerable  distance." 

We  searched  the  house,  which  I  did,  I  confess, 
with  a  kind  of  feverish  excitement,  expecting 
every  moment  to  bring  some  fatal  secret  to  light. 
Meanwhile,  the  man  gazed  upon  us  with  an  impene- 
trable vacancy  of  look,  and  we  at  last  left  the  cot- 
tage, without  anything  that  could  confirm  my  «us- 


174  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

picions.  I  resolved  to  inspect  the  garden  once 
more,  and  a  number  of  idlers  having  by  this  time 
collected,  drawn  to  the  spot  by  the  sight  of  a 
stranger,  with  two  armed  men  engaged  in  searching 
the  premises,  I  made  inquiries  of  some  of  them 
whether  they  knew  anything  about  a  well  in  that 
place.  I  could  get  no  information  at  first,  but  at 
length  an  old  woman  came  slowly  forward,  leaning 
on  a  crutch. 

"  A  well !"  cried  she ;  "  is  it  the  well  you  are 
looking  after?  That  has  been  gone  these  thirty 
years.  I  remember  as  if  it  were  only  yesterday, 
how,  many  a  time  when  I  was  a  young  girl,  I  used 
to  amuse  myself  with  throwing  stones  into  it,  and 
hearing  the  splash  they  used  to  make  in  the  water." 

"  And  could  you  tell  me  where  that  well  used  to 
be  ?"  asked  I,  almost  breathless  with  excitement. 

"  As  near  as  I  can  remember,  on  the  very  spot 
on  which  your  honor  is  standing,"  said  the  old 
woman. 

"  I  could  have  sworn  it,"  thought  I,  springing 
from  the  place  as  if  I  had  trod  upon  a  scorpion. 

Need  I  say  that  we  set  to  work  to  dig  up  the 
ground  ?  At  about  eighteen  inches  deep  we  came 
to  a  layer  of  bricks,  which,  being  broken  up,  gave 
to  view  some  boards  which  were  easily  removed, 
after  which  we  beheld  the  mouth  of  the  well. 

"  I  was  quite  sure  it  was  here,"  said  the  old  wo- 
man. "  What  a  fool  the  old  fellow  was  to  stop  it 
up,  and  then  have  to  go  so  far  for  water !" 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  175 

A  sounding-line,  furnished  with  hooks,  was  let 
down  into  the  well;  the  crowd  pressing  around  us, 
and  breathlessly  bending  over  the  dark  and  fetid 
hole,  the  secrets  of  which  seemed  hidden  in  im- 
penetrable obscurity.  This  was  repeated  several 
times  without  result.  At  length,  penetrating  below 
the  mud,  the  hooks  caught  in  an  old  chest,  upon 
top  of  which  had  been  thrown  a  great  many  large 
stones,  and,  after  much  time  and  effort,  we  succeeded 
in  raising  it  to  daylight.  The  sides  and  lid  were 
decayed  and  rotten ;  it  needed  no  locksmith  to  open 
it,  and  we  found  within  it  what  I  was  certain  we 
should  find,  and  which  paralyzed  with  horror  all 
the  spectators,  who  had  not  my  pre-conviction — we 
found  the  remains  of  a  human  body. 

The  police  who  had  accompanied  me,  now  rushed 
into  the  house,  and  secured  the  person  of  the  old 
man.  As  to  his  wife — no  one  could  tell,  at  first, 
what  had  become  of  her ;  after  some  search,  how- 
ever, she  was  found  hidden  behind  a  bundle  of 
faggots. 

By  this  time  nearly  the  whole  town  had  gathered 
around  the  spot,  and  now  that  this  fact  had  come 
to  light,  everybody  had  some  crime  to  tell  of  which 
had  been  laid  to  the  charge  of  the  old  couple.  The 
people  who  predict  after  an  event  are  numerous. 

The  old  couple  were  brought  before  the  proper 
authorities  and  privately  and  separately  examined. 
The  old  man  persisted  in  his  denial  most  pertina- 
ciously, but  his  wife  at  length  confessed,  that  in 


17G  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES, 

concert  with  her  husband  she  had  once,  a  very 
long  time  ago,  murdered  a  pedlar  whom  they  had 
met  one  night  on  the  high  road,  and  who  had  been 
incautious  enough  to  tell  them  of  a  considerable 
sum  of  money  which  he  had  about  him,  and  whom, 
in  consequence,  they  induced  to  pass  the  night  at 
their  house.  They  had  taken  advantage  of  the 
heavy  sleep  induced  by  fatigue  to  strangle  him,  his 
body  had  been  put  into  the  chest,  the  chest  thrown 
into  the  well,  and  the  well  stopped  up. 

The  pedlar  being  from  another  country,  his  dis- 
appearance had  occasioned  no  inquiry ;  there  was 
no  witness  of  the  crime ;  and  as  its  traces  had  been 
carefully  concealed  from  every  eye,  the  two  crimi- 
nals had  good  reason  to  believe  themselves  secure 
from  detection.  They  had  not,  however,  been  able 
to  silence  the  voice  of  conscience ;  they  fled  from 
the  sight  of  their  fellow  men ;  they  thought  they 
beheld  wherever  they  turned,  mute  accusers ;  they 
trembled  at  the  slightest  noise,  and  silence  thrilled 
them  with  terror.  They  had  often  formed  a  deter- 
mination to  leave  the  scene  of  their  crime,  to  fly 
to  some  distant  land,  but  still  some  undefinable 
fascination  kept  them  near  the  remains  of  their 
victim. 

Terrified  by  the  deposition  of  the  wife,  and 
unable  to  resist  the  overwhelming  proofs  against 
him,  the  man  at  last  made  a  similar  confession,  and 
six  wreeks  after  the  unhappy  criminals  died  on  the 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  177 

scaffold,  in  accordance  with  the  sentence  of  the  par- 
liament of  Toulouse. 

They  died  penitent. 

The  well  was  once  more  shut  up,  and  the  cottage 
levelled  to  the  ground;  it  was  not,  however,  until 
fifty  years  had  in  some  measure  deadened  the 
memory  of  the  terrible  transaction,  that  the  ground 
was  cultivated.  It  is  now  a  field  of  corn. 

Such  was  the  dream  and  its  result. 


A  WICKED  PROCLAMATION  DEFEATED. 

THE  following  interesting  facts  were  related  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Conder,  of  London,  by  an  old  gentle- 
man, who  remembered  when  a  boy  to  have  heard 
them  from  the  great-grandfather  of  that  gentle- 
man : — 

I  used,  said  he,  when  young  to  accompany  my 
father  to  Royston  market,  which  Mr.  Conder  .also 
frequented.  The  custom  of  the  worthy  men  in 
those  days  was,  when  they  had  done  their  market- 
ing, to  meet  together,  and  take  needful  refreshment 
in  a  private  room,  where,  without  interruption, 
the}'  might  talk  freely  about  the  things  of  God — 
how  they  had  heard  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  how 
they  had  gone  on  the  week  past,  &c.  I  was  ad- 
mitted to  sit  in  a  corner  of  the  room.  One  day, 
when  I  was  there,  the  conversation  turned  upon 
the  question,  "  By  what  means  God  first  visited 


178  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

their  souls,  and  began  a  work  of  grace  upon 
them?"  It  was  your  great-grandfather's  turn  to 
speak,  and  his  account  struck  me  so,  that  I  never 
forgot  it.  He  told  the  company  as  follows  :— 
"  When  I  was  a  young  man,  I  was  greatly  addicted 
to  foot-ball  playing ;  and,  as  the  custom  was  in  our 
parish,  and  in  many  others  also,  the  young  men,  as 
soon  as  church  was  over,  took  a  foot-ball  and  went 
to  play.  Our  minister  often  remonstrated  against 
our  breaking  the  Sabbath,  which,  however,  had  but 
little  effect;  only  my  conscience  checked  me  at 
times,  and  I  would  sometimes  steal  away  and  hide 
myself  from  my  companions.  But  being  dextrous 
at  the  game,  they  would  find  me  out,  and  get  me 
among  them.  This  would  bring  on  me  more  guilt 
and  horror  of  conscience.  Thus  I  went  on  sinning 
and  repenting  a  long  time,  but  had  no  resolution  to 
break  off  from  the  practice,  till,  one  Sabbath  morn- 
ing, our  minister  acquainted  his  hearers  that  he  was 
very  sorry  to  tell  them,  that  by  order  of  the  king 
(James  I.)  and  his  council,  he  must  read  them  the 
following  paper  or  relinquish  his  living.  This  was 
the  Book  of  Sports,  forbidding  the  ministers  or 
churchwardens,  or  any  others,  to  molest  or  dis- 
courage the  youth,  in  what  were  called  their  manly 
sports  and  recreations  on  the  Lord's  day,  &c. 
While  our  minister  was  reading  it,  I  was  seized 
with  a  chill  and  horror  not  to  be  described.  Now, 
thought  I,  iniquity  is  established  by  a  law,  and 
sinners  are  hardened  in  their  sinful  ways  !  What 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  179 

sore  judgments  are  to  be  expected  upon  so  wicked 
and  guilty  a  nation  !  What  shall  I  do  ?  Whither 
shall  I  flee?  How  shall  I  escape  the  wrath  to 
come  ? — And  thus  God  convinced  me  that  it  was 
high  time  to  be  in  earnest  about  salvation.  And 
from  that  time,  I  never  had  the  least  inclination  to 
take  a  foot-ball  in  hand,  or  to  join  my  vain  com- 
panions any  more :  so  that  1  date  my  conversion 
from  that  time,  and  adore  the  grace  of  God  in 
making  that  to  be  an  ordinance  for  my  salvation, 
which  the  devil  and  wicked  governors  laid  as  a 
trap  for  my  destruction." 

This,  continued  the  narrator,  I  heard  him  tell : 
and  I  hope  with  some  serious  benefit  to  my  own 
soul. 

THE  JEWELLER  AND  HIS  SERVANT. 

A  JEWELLER,  a  man  of  good  character,  and  consi- 
derable wealth,  having  occasion,  in  the  way  of  busi- 
ness, to  travel  some  distance  from  his  abode,  took 
along  with  him  a  servant :  he  had  with  him  some 
of  his  best  jewels,  and  a  large  sum  of  money,  to 
which  his  servant  was  likewise  privy.  The  master 
having  occasion  to  dismount  on  the  road,  the  ser- 
vant watched  his  opportunity,  took  a  pistol  from 
his  master's  saddle,  and  shot  him  dead  on  the  spot ; 
then  rilling  him  of  his  jewels  and  money,  and  hang- 
ing a  large  stone  to  his  neck,  he  threw  him  into  the 
nearest  canal.  With  his  booty  he  made  off  to  a 


180  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

distant  part  of  the  country,  where  he  had  reason  to 
believe  that  neither  he  nor  his  master  was  known. 
There  he  began  to  trade,  in  a  very  low  way  at  first, 
that  his  obscurity  might  screen  him  from  observa- 
tion ;  and  in  the  course  of  many  years  seemed  to 
rise  up,  by  the  natural  progress  of  business,  into 
wealth  and  consideration ;  so  that  his  good  fortune 
appeared  at  once  the  effect  of  industry  and  the 
reward  of  virtue.  Of  these  he  counterfeited  the 
appearance  so  well,  that  he  grew  into  great  credit, 
married  into  a  good  family,  and,  by  laying  out  his 
hidden  stores  discreetly,  as  he  saw  occasion,  and 
joining  to  all  a  universal  affability,  he  was  at  length 
admitted  to  a  share  of  the  government  of  the  town, 
and  rose  from  one  post  to  another,  till  at  last  he 
was  chosen  chief  magistrate.  In  this  office  he  main- 
tained a  fair  character,  and  continued  to  fill  it  with 
no  small  applause,  both  as  governor  and  judge;  till 
one  day,  as  he  sat  on  the  bench  with  some  of  his 
brethren,  a  criminal  was  brought  before  him  who 
was  accused  of  murdering  his  master.  The  evidence 
came  out  full;  the  jury  brought  in  their  verdict 
that  the  prisoner  was  guilty,  and  the  whole  assem- 
bly awaited  the  sentence  of  the  president  of  the 
court  (which  happened  to  be  himself)  in  great  sus- 
pense. Meanwhile  he  appeared  to  be  in  unusual 
disorder  and  agitation  of  mind ;  his  color  changed 
often ;  at  length  he  arose  from  his  seat,  and,  coming 
down  from  the  bench,  placed  himself  just  by  the 
unfortunate  man  at  the  bar,  to  the  no  small  astonish- 


REMARKABLE   1'UOVIDENCES.  181 

ment  of  all  present.  "  You  see  before  you,"  said  he, 
addressing  himself  to  those  who  had  sat  on  the  bench 
with  him,  "a  striking  instance  of  the  just  awards 
of  Heaven,  for  this  day,  after  thirty  years'  conceal- 
ment, presents  to  you  a  greater  criminal  than  the 
man  just  now  found  guilty."  He  then  made  an 
ample  confession  of  his  heinous  offence,  with  all  its 
peculiar  aggravations.  "  Nor  can  I,"  continued  he, 
"  feel  any  relief  from  the  agonies  of  an  awakened 
conscience,  but  by  requiring  that  justice  be  forth- 
with done  against  me  in  the  most  public  and  solemn 
manner."  We  may  easily  imagine  the  amazement 
of  all,  especially  his  fellow-judges.  They  accord- 
ingly proceeded,  upon  his  confession,  to  pass  sen- 
tence upon  him,  and  he  died  with  all  the  symptoms 
of  a  penitent  mind. 


16 


SECTION   IV. 

Agents  lit  t\t  |)imi$|)mmt  of  Sin,  $r. 

THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  WICKED  ANSWERED. 

A  CORRESPONDENT  of  the  London  Pulpit  gives  the 
following  incident,  which  was  well  authenticated. 
A  young  girl,  residing  at  Exeter,  was  accused  by 
her  mother  of  having  stolen  a  silver  spoon.  She 
repeatedly,  and  in  the  most  emphatic  manner,  de- 
nied the  charge  as  often  as  it  was  reiterated.  Her 
mother  still  pressed  it  upon  her.  At  last,  deter- 
mined to  conceal  her  guilt,  and  hoping  to  silence 
all  further  accusation,  the  girl  exclaimed  in  a  solemn 
manner,  "  May  God  strike  me  dead  if  I  have  the 
spoon."  God  heard  her.  Judgment  came.  She 
fell  dead  upon  the  spot.  On  examining  her  clothes 
afterwards  the  spoon  was  found  concealed  on  her 
person. 


(182) 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  183 


THE  CRUCIFIXION  CARICATURED. 

MELANCTHON,  the  Reformer,  relates  the  following 
awful  illustration  of  the  judgments  of  Divine  Pro- 
dence. 

A  company  of  profane  wretches  undertook  to 
represent,  in  a  farcical  way,  the  death  scene  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  when  he,  who  acted  the  soldier, 
instead  of  piercing  a  bladder  of  blood,  hid  under  the 
garments  of  the  one  on  the  cross,  ran  the  spear  into 
his  side,  and  killed  him.  The  dead  man  fell  from 
the  cross  upon  the  one  acting  the  part  of  the  weep- 
ing woman,  and  killed  him.  The  brother  of  the 
man  first  slain,  immediately  killed  the  murderer, 
and  was  afterwards  tried  and  hung  by  sentence  of 
the  court.  Thus  did  the  judgments  of  Almighty 
God  speedily  overtake  these  wicked  men,  who 
sought  to  trifle  with  one  of  the  most  solemn  scenes 
known  to  man. 


FEIGNING  DEATH. 

THE  Gazette  de  Lyons  published  the  following 
fact ;  it  happened  at  Chenas,  not  far  from  Lyons  : — 

A  rich  widow,  without  children,  had  promised  to 
make  her  will  in  favor  of  her  niece.  The  aunt  fell 
sick,  and  the  niece,  as  much  through  attachment  as 
interest,  lavished  upon  her  the  tcnderest  as  well  as 


184  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

the  most  assiduous  cares ;  however,  the  aunt  died 
without  making  a  will.  The  niece  was  in  despair 
for  the  loss  of  her  friend  and  her  hopes.  She  went 
around,  told  her  story,  and  asked  what  could  be 
done.  Her  perfidious  counsellors  engaged  her  to 
play  the  old  trick  of  hiding  the  death,  and  placing 
herself  in  bed,  calling  for  a  notary  and  witnesses, 
and  dictating  a  convenient  testament.  She  did  her 
part  well,  and  it  succeeded  wonderfully  in  a  room 
that  was  partially  darkened.  The  young  girl,  sunk 
in  a  pillow  and  curtains,  pronounced  with  a  feeble 
and  broken  voice,  the  last  will  and  testament  of  the 
aunt ;  the  notary  wrote,  and  the  victory  was  nearly 
sure,  when  one  of  the  witnesses,  who  knew  a  little 
more  than  the  others,  declared  he  would  sign  no 
such  act ;  for  that  the  pretended  testatrix  had  been 
dead  for  several  hours,  and  he  would  not  be  the 
accomplice  of  a  like  deception.  The  unhappy  niece, 
confounded  and  overwhelmed,  could  not  support  the 
idea  of  the  consequent  shame  and  punishment  of 
her  guilt,  and  she  suddenly  expired.  She  was 
buried  at  the  same  time  with  her  aunt. 


A  LIAR'S  IMPRECATION  ANSWERED. 

A  FEW  years  since,  a  woman  in  the  Church  Gate, 
Loughborough,  England,  went  to  purchase  a  bed- 
stead, which  was  sold  to  her  for  thirteen  shillings, 
and  change  given  her  out  of  a  one  pound  note, 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  185 

which  she  gave  in  payment.  A  short  time  after, 
she  went  again  to  the  shop,  and  asserted  that 
eighteen  pence  less  than  the  proper  change  was 
given  her.  This  the  shopkeeper  denied,  stating  the 
exact  coins  he  had  given  her.  She,  however,  per- 
sisted in  her  declaration,  and  said,  she  wished  she 
might  die  in  his  house  if  she  had  not  spoken  the 
truth.  Awful  to  relate,  she  was  immediately  taken 
ill,  was  removed  to  another  house,  and  soon  after 
expired,  never  once  speaking  after  she  had  left  the 
shop.  The  money  was  found  in  her  pocket,  exactly 
as  the  shopkeeper  had  described. 


PROFANITY  AWFULLY  VISITED. 

ABOUT  the  year  1793,  an  awful  incident  occurred 
at  Salem,  in  the  state  of  New  Jersey.  There  had 
been  a  revival  of  religion,  and  the  pious  part  of  the 
community  had  been  disturbed  with  riots  and  mobs ; 
but  on  making  application  to  the  civil  magistrate, 
these  tumults  had  been  effectually  suppressed. 
The  opposers  of  religion  now  turned  their  attention 
to  a  new  method  of  entertainment ;  acting  in  a  far- 
cical way  at  religious  meetings,  pretending  to  speak 
of  their  experiences,  to  exhort,  &c.,  in  order  to 
amuse  one  another  in  a  profane  theatrical  manner. 
One  evening  a  young  actress  stood  up  on  one  of  the 
benches,  pretending  to  speak  of  her  experience; 
and,  with  mock  solemnity,  cried  out,  "Glory  to  God ! 

16* 


186  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

I  have  found  peace ;  I  am  sanctified ;  I  am  now  fit 
to  die."  Scarcely  had  the  unhappy  girl  uttered 
these  words,  before  she  actually  dropped  dead  upon 
the  floor,  and  was  taken  up  a  lifeless  corpse.  Struck 
with  this  awful  visitation,  the  auditors  were  in- 
stantly seized  with  inexpressible  terror,  and  every 
face  was  covered  with  consternation  and  dismay. 


THE  CONSTABLE'S  ADMONITION. 

IN  1682,  some  soldiers  came  to  break  up  a  meet- 
ing where  Mr.  Browning,  who  had  been  ejected 
from  Desborough,  in  Northamptonshire,  was,  and 
to  apprehend  him.  The  constable  of  the  place, 
who  was  present,  admonished  them  to  be  well  ad- 
vised in  what  they  did,  "  For,"  said  he,  "  when  Sir 
was. alive,  he  eagerly  persecuted  these  meet- 
ings, and  engaged  eight  soldiers  of  the  country 
troop  to  assist  him,  whereof  myself  was  one.  Sir 

himself  is  dead  ;  six  of  the  soldiers  are  dead ; 

some  of  them  were  hanged,  and  some  of  them 
broke  their  necks,  and  I  myself  fell  off  my  horse 
and  broke  my  collar-bone,  in  the  act  of  persecuting 
them.  This  has  given  me  such  a  warning,  that, 
for1  my  part,  I  am  resolved  I  will  never  meddle 
with  them  more." 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  187 


THE  UNGRATEFUL  SONS. 

IN  Birmingham,  England,  once  lived  a  family  in 
humble  circumstances.  Some  of  the  younger  child- 
ren and  their  father  died,  leaving  the  aged  mother 
with  two  sons  grown  up,  and  able  to  assist  her. 
This,  however,  they  refused  to  do,  and  she  was 
obliged  to  apply  to  the  parish  for  relief;  and  for 
some  years  two  shillings  a  week  were  allowed  her 
by  the  overseers,  which,  with  a  small  sum  added 
by  some  Christian  friends,  was  all  on  which  she  had 
to  subsist. 

During  this  time  her  youngest  son  died.  He  had 
lived  without  the  fear  of  God,  and  died  under  a 
sense  of  his  wrath,  in  deep  agonies,  both  of  body 
and  mind,  and  uttering  dreadful  expressions. 

The  eldest  son  was  clever  in  his  business,  got 
forward  in  the  world,  and  became  possessed  of  con- 
siderable property.  But  he  still  refused  to  assist 
his  mother,  and  even  while  holding  offices  of  con- 
sideration and  importance,  left  her  to  subsist  on  her 
allowance  from  the  parish.  This  conduct  of  course 
was  noticed ;  he  was  repeatedly  spoken  to  upon  the 
subject;  and  at  length  he  ordered  her  name  to  be 
taken  from  the  parish  books,  and  allowed  her  the 
two  shillings  a  week  out  of  his  own  pocket,  at  a 
time  when  he  possessed  thousands  of  pounds,  and 
\v;is  without  a  family. 

One  day  some  friends  were  assembled,  and  her 


188  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

case  being  mentioned,  they  proposed  to  remonstrate 
with  the  ungrateful  son.  "  No,"  said  an  aged  min- 
ister, "  let  him  alone ;  if  he  dies  possessed  of  the 
property  he  is  now  worth,  I  shall  be  deceived.  God 
will  never  suffer  such  base  ingratitude  to  prosper." 
In  a  short  time  afterwards,  the  mother  was  re- 
moved to  another  world.  The  circumstances  of  the 
son  at  length  began  to  change ;  repeated  losses 
ensued,  and  finally  he  became  a  bankrupt,  and 
was  reduced  to  abject  poverty. 


SUFFERING  DEATH  WHILE  FEIGNING  IT. 

ONE  day,  as  Archbishop  Leigh  ton  was  going 
from  Glasgow  to  Dumblane,  there  happened  a  tre- 
mendous storm  of  lightning  and  thunder.  He  was 
observed,  when  at  a  considerable  distance,  by  two 
men  of  bad  character.  They  had  not  courage  to 
rob  him;  but  wishing  to  fall  on  some  method  to 
extort  money  from  him,  one  said,  "  I  will  lie  down 
by  the  wayside  as  if  I  were  dead,  and  you  shall 
inform  the  archbishop  that  I  was  killed  by  the 
lightning,  and  beg  money  of  him  to  bury  me." 
When  the  archbishop  arrived  at  the  spot,  the 
wicked  wretch  told  the  fabricated  story  :  the  arch- 
bishop sympathized  with  the  survivor,  gave  him 
money,  and  proceeded  on  his  journey.  But  when 
the  man  returned  to  his  companion,  he  found  him 
really  lifeless !  Immediately  he  began  to  exclaim 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  189 

aloud,  "  Oh  !  sir,  he  /.v  dead  !  Oh  !  sir,  he  is  dead  !" 
On  this,  the  archbishop,  discovering  the  fraud,  left 
the  man  with  this  important  reflection  :  "  It  is  a 
dangerous  thing  to  trifle  with  the  judgments  of 
God!" 


THE  PERJURER'S  IMPRECATION. 

A  MAN  once  waited  on  a  magistrate  near  Hitch  in, 
in  the  county  of  Hertford  (England),  and  informed 
him  that  he  had  been  stopped  by  a  young  gentle- 
man in  Hitchin,  who  had  knocked  him  down  and 
searched  his  pockets ;  but  not  finding  anything,  he 
had  suffered  him  to  depart.  The  magistrate,  aston- 
ished at  this  intelligence,  despatched  a  messenger 
to  the  young  gentleman,  ordering  him  to  appear 
immediately,  and  answer  to  the  charge  exhibited 
against  him.  The  youth  obeyed  the  summons, 
accompanied  by  his  guardian  and  an  intimate 
friend.  Upon  their  arrival  at  the  seat  of  justice, 
the  accused  and  accuser  were  confronted ;  when  the 
magistrate  hinted  to  the  man,  that  he  was  afraid 
he  had  made  the  charge  with  no  other  view  than 
that  of  extorting  money,  and  bade  him  take  care 
how  he  proceeded ;  exhorting  him,  in  the  most 
earnest  and  pathetic  manner,  to  beware  of  the 
dreadful  train  of  consequences  attending  perjury. 
The  man  insisted  upon  making  oath  to  what  he 
had  advanced;  the  oath  was  accordingly  admi- 


190  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

nistered,  and  the  business  fully  investigated,  when 
the  innocence  of  the  young  gentleman  was  esta- 
blished, by  the  most  incontrovertible  evidence.  The 
infamous  wretch,  finding  his  intentions  thus  frus- 
trated, returned  home  much  chagrined ;  and  meet- 
ing soon  afterwards  with  one  of  his  neighbors,  he 
declared  he  had  not  sworn  to  anything  but  the 
truth,  calling  God  to  witness  the  same  in  the  most 
solemn  manner,  and  wished,  if  it  was  not  as  he 
had  said,  his  jaws  might  be  locked,  and  that  his 
flesh  might  rot  upon  his  bones ;  when,  terrible  to 
relate,  his  jaws  were  instantly  arrested,  and  he  was 
deprived  of  the  use  of  the  faculty  he  had  so  awfully 
perverted !  After  lingering  nearly  a  fortnight,  he 
expired  in  the  greatest  agonies,  his  flesh  literally 
rotting  upon  his  bones. 


THE  TWISTED  NECK. 

AT  a  general  muster  in  one  of  the  Western 
States,  a  wicked  man  being  addressed  on  the  sub- 
ject of  religion  was  filled  with  rage,  and  uttered 
the  horrid  declaration  that  if  Jesus  of  Nazareth 
was  there,  he  would  wring  his  neck  !  Suddenly  a 
violent  spasm  seized  the  neck  of  the  blasphemer, 
twisted  it  round,  rolled  his  eyes  nearly  out  of  their 
sockets,  and  left  him  in  this  frightful  position,  a 
living  monument  of  outraged  omnipotence.  "  This 
fact,"  says  a  writer  in  the  Vermont  Chronicle,  '•  was 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  191 

stated  at  a  public  meeting  in  this  vicinity  lately  by 
a  respectable  gentleman  of  the  bar  from  Ohio." 
The  meeting  referred  to,  took  place  in  Lebanon, 
Ohio,  and  the  laAvyer  referred  to  was  Mr.  Latham. 
His  statements  having  been  called  in  question,  Mr. 
Latham  procured  a  full  corroboration  of  them  from 
the  Rev.  Ahab  Jenks,  of  Delaware,  Ohio,  who  re- 
sided in  the  immediate  vicinity  where  the  circum- 
stance took  place. 


BETTING  AND  DYING. 

THE  following  relation  of  facts  was  presented  to 
the  public  in  several  of  the  London  newspapers  of 
February  13, 1814  : — A  melancholy  event  occurred 
yesterday  evening,  between  seven  and  eight  o'clock, 
at  the  cock-pit,  St.  Giles's.  Whilst  preparations 
were  making  for  the  setting-to  of  the  cocks,  to 
engage  in  this  cruel  sport,  a  Mr.  Thorpe,  from  the 
country,  a  well-known  character,  had  taken  his  seat 
in  the  front  of  the  pit,  and  not  two  minutes  before 
his  death,  had  offered  to  back  the  Huntingdon  birds 
for  ten  guineas.  He  was  observed  to  lean  his  head 
forward,  and  appeared  somewhat  ill.  He  made  a 
kind  of  moan,  and  instantly  his  color  changed,  and 
he  was  a  corpse.  Surgical  aid  was  immediately 
procured,  but  the  spark  of  life  was  extinct.  The 
body  was  removed  to  a  neighboring  public-house, 
for  the  inspection  of  a  coroner's  inquest.  The  wife 


192  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

and  sister  of  the  deceased  soon  arrived  to  see  the 
body,  and  the  reader  may  judge  of  their  feelings. 
It  is  a  fact  no  less  singular  than  true,  that  the  de- 
ceased, half  an  hour  before  his  death,  had  said, 
"  The  last  time  I  was  here,  I  said,  if  ever  I 
attended  the  pit  again,  I  hoped  I  should  die  there." 


THE  NEWBURQ  INFIDELS. 

DURING  the  prevalence  of  infidelity  that  occurred 
in  this  country  after  the  reign  of  terror  in  France, 
Newburg,  New  York,  was  remarkable  for  its  Deism. 
Through  the  influence  of  "Blind  Palmer,"  there 
was  formed  a  Druidical  Society,  so  called,  which 
had  a  high  priest,  and  met  at  stated  times,  to 
uproot  and  destroy  all  true  religion.  They  de- 
scended sometimes  to  acts  the  most  impious  and 
blasphemous.  Thus,  for  instance,  at  one  of  their 
meetings  in  Newburg,  they  burned  the  Bible,  bap- 
tized a  cat,  partook  of  the  sacrament,  and  one  of 
the  number,  approved  by  the  rest,  administered  it 
to  a  dog.  Now  mark  the  retributive  judgments  of 
God  towards  these  blasphemers,  which  at  once 
commenced  falling  upon  them.  On  the  evening  of 
that  very  day,  he  who  had  administered  this  mock 
sacrament  was  attacked  with  a  violent  inflamma- 
tory disease ;  his  inflamed  eyeballs  were  protruded 
from  their  sockets ;  his  tongue  was  swollen ;  and 
he  died  before  morning  in  great  bodily  and  mental 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  193 

agony.  Dr.  H.,  another  of  the  same  party,  was 
found  dead  in  his  bed  the  next  morning.  D.  D.,  a 
printer,  who  was  present,  three  days  after  fell  in  a 
fit,  and  died  immediately;  and  three  others  were 
drowned  in  a  few  days.  In  short,  within  five  years 
from  the  time  the  Druidical  Society  was  organized, 
it  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that  all  the  original  mem- 
bers died  in  some  strange  or  unnatural  manner. 
There  were  thirty-six  of  them ;  and  these  were  the 
actors  in  the  horrid  farce  described  above.  Two 
were  starved  to  death;  seven  drowned;  eight  shot; 
five  committed  suicide ;  seven  died  on  the  gallows ; 
one  was  frozen  to  death ;  and  three  died  "  accident- 
all,/- 

Of  the  foregoing  statements  there  is  good  proof. 
They  have  been  certified  before  justices  of  the  peace 
in  New  York ;  and  again  and  again  published  to 
the  world. 


THE  BLASPHEMOUS  SAILOR. 

THE  following  fact  took  place  in  the  spring  of 
1812,  at  a  public-house  in  Rochester,  in  the  county 
of  Kent  (England)  :— 

Two  wicked  sailors  meeting  at  a  tavern  one  day, 
began  to  curse  and  swear,  when  the  more  violent 
of  the  two,  in  a  tempest  of  passion,  swore  that  he 
would  kill  the  other.  The  awe-struck  landlord, 
raising  his  voice,  said  to  the  sailor  who  had  made 

13 


194  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

the  threat,  "  What  if  God  of  a  sudden  should  strike 
you  dead,  and  sink  you  into  hell  with  his  curse 
upon  you !"  The  sailor  replied  with  a  terrible 
oath,  "  The  Almighty  cannot  do  that — give  me  the 
tankard  of  beer — if  God  can  do  it,  I'll  go  to  hell 
before  I  drink  it  up." 

With  an  awful  oath  he  seized  the  tankard,  but 
instantly  fell  down  and  expired ! 

All  blasphemers  are  not  thus  suddenly  and 
singularly  cut  off;  but  there  is  a  point  in  every 
blasphemer's  progress  in  sin,  beyond  which  the 
forbearance  of  God  cannot  be  extended  to  him 
longer.  And  how  often  does  God  say  to  such  men, 
in  the  midst  of  their  awful  contempt  and  mockery 
of  his  power,  "  Thus  far  shalt  thou  go,  and  no 
farther."  We  do  not  suppose  that  any  miracle  is 
wrought  in  such  cases ;  but  God,  working  in  and 
through  natural  laws,  so  often  causes  sudden  and 
awful  deaths  in  immediate  connection  with  bold 
and  impious  blasphemy,  that  we  are  justified  in 
regarding  such  a  death  as  a  judgment  of  God,  sent 
in  consequence  of  the  blasphemy. 

We  mean  to  say  as  much  as  this,  that  in  such 
cases  the  sinner's  blasphemy  and  death  are  so  far 
related  to  each  other,  that  if  the  one  had  not  been 
committed,  the  other  had  not  occurred ;  if  he  had 
not  blasphemed  as  he  did,  he  had  not  died  as  h<i 
did. 


PART   IV. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN 
THE  CONVERSION  OF  MEN. 


"And  the  Lord  added  to  the  church  daily  such  as  should  be  saved." — 
ACTS  ii.  47. 


(195) 


SECTION   I. 

C0ntesi0its  effected  in  Dummi 

v      kri/ 

THE  DELIVERANCE  OF  THE  REV.  MR.  HOWE. 

WHEN  the  melancholy  state  of  the  times  com- 
pelled this  excellent  man  to  quit  the  public  charge 
of  his  beloved  congregation  at  Torrington,  in  Devon- 
shire, impressed  with  a  sense  of  duty,  he  embraced 
every  opportunity  of  preaching  the  word  of  life.  He 
and  Mr.  Flavel  used  frequently  to  conduct  their 
secret  ministrations  at  midnight  in  different  houses 
in  the  north  of  Devonshire.  One  of  the  principal 
of  these  was  Hudscott,  an  ancient  mansion  belong- 
ing to  the  family  of  Rolle,  between  Torrington  and 
Southmolton.  Yet,  even  here,  the  observant  eye 
of  malevolence  was  upon  them.  Mr.  Howe  had 
been  officiating  there,  in  a  dark  and  tempestuous 
wintry  night,  when  an  alarm  was  made  that  infor- 
mation had  been  given,  and  a  warrant  granted  to 
apprehend  him  It  was  judged  prudent  for  him  to 
quit  the  house ;  but  in  riding  over  a  large  common, 

17  *  (197) 


D8  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

he  and  his  servant  missed  their  way.  After  several 
fruitless  efforts  to  recover  it,  the  attendant  went 
forward  to  seek  for  a  habitation,  where  they  might 
either  find  directions  or  a  lodging.  Pie  soon  dis- 
covered a  mansion,  and  received  a  cheerful  invita- 
tion to  rest  there  for  the  night.  But  how  great  was 
Mr.  Howe's  surprise,  to  find,  on  his  arrival,  that  the 
house  belonged  to  his  most  inveterate  enemy,  a 
country  magistrate,  who  had  often  breathed  the 
most  implacable  vengeance  against  him,  and,  as  he 
had  reason  to  believe,  was  well  acquainted  with 
the  occasion  of  his  travelling  at  such  an  hour. 
However,  he  put  the  best  face  he  could  upon  it, 
and  even  mentioned  his  name  and  residence  to  the 
gentleman,  trusting  to  Providence  for  the  result. 
His  host  ordered  supper  to  be  provided,  and  entered 
into  a  lengthened  conversation  with  his  guest ;  and 
was  so  delighted  with  his  company,  that  it  was  a 
very  late  hour  before  he  could  permit  him  to  retire 
to  his  chamber.  In  the  morning,  Mr.  Howe  ex- 
pected to  be  accosted  with  a  commitment,  and  sent 
to  Exeter;  but,  on  the  contrary,  he  was  received 
by  the  family  at  breakfast  with  a  very  hospitable 
welcome.  After  mutual  civilities,  he  departed  to 
his  own  abode,  greatly  wondering  to  himself  at  the 
kindness  of  a  man  from  whom  he  had  before 
dreaded  so  much. 

Not  long  after,  the  gentleman  sent  for  Mr.  Howe, 
who  found  him  confined  to  his  bed  by  sickness,  and 
still  more  deeply  wounded  with  a  sense  of  sin.  He 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  199 

acknowledged  that,  when  Mr.  Howe  came  first  to 
his  door,  he  inwardly  rejoiced  that  he  had  an  oppor- 
tunity of  exercising  his  malice  upon  him,  but  that 
his  conversation  and  his  manner  insensibly  awed 
him  into  respect.  He  had  long  ruminated  on  the 
observations  which  had  fallen  from  the  man  of 
God,  and  was  become  a  penitent,  earnestly  anxious 
for  the  blessings  of  eternal  life.  From  that  sick- 
ness he  recovered,  became  an  eminent  Christian,  a 
friend  to  the  conscientious,  and  an  intimate  com- 
panion of  the  man  whom  he  had  threatened  with 
his  vengeance. 


THE  CONVERTED  ACTRESS. 

AN  actress,  in  one  of  the  English  provincial  or 
country  theatres,  was  one  day  passing  through  the 
streets  of  the  town  in  which  she  then  resided,  when 
her  attention  was  attracted  by  the  sound  of  voices, 
which  she  heard  in  a  poor  cottage  before  her. 
Curiosity  prompted  her  to  look  in  at  an  open  door, 
when  she  saw  a  few  poor  people  sitting  together, 
one  of  whom,  at  the  moment  of  her  observation, 
was  giving  out  the  following  hymn,  which  the  others 
joined  in  singing  : — 

"  Depth  of  mercy !  can  there  be 
Mercy  still  reserved  for  me  ?" 

The  tune  was  sweet  and  simple,  but  she  heeded  it 
not.     The  words  had  riveted  her  attention,  and  she 


200  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

stood  motionless,  until  she  was  invited  to  enter,  by 
the  woman  of  the  house,  who  had  observed  her 
standing  at  the  door.  She  complied,  and  remained 
during  a  prayer  which  was  offered  up  by  one  of  the 
little  company;  and  uncouth  as  the  expressions 
sounded,  perhaps,  to  her  ears,  they  carried  with 
them  a  conviction  of  sincerity,  on  the  part  of  the 
person  then  employed.  She  quitted  the  cottage, 
but  the  words  of  the  hymn  followed  her.  She 
could  not  banish  them  from  her  mind,  and  at  last 
she  resolved  to  procure  the  book  which  contained 
it.  She  did  so,  and  the  more  she  read  itj  the 
more  decided  her  serious  impressions  became.  She 
attended  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  read  her 
hitherto  neglected  and  despised  Bible,  and  bowed 
herself  in  humility  and  contrition  of  heart,  before 
him  whose  mercy  she  now  felt  she  needed,  whose 
sacrifices  are  those  of  a  broken  heart  and  a  contrite 
spirit,  and  who  has  declared,  that  with  such  sacri- 
fices he  is  well  pleased. 

Her  profession  she  determined  at  once  and  for 
ever  to  renounce  ;  and  for  some  little  time  excused 
herself  from  appearing  on  the  stage,  without,  how- 
ever, disclosing  her  change  of  sentiments  or  making 
known  her  resolution  finally  to  leave  it. 

The  manager  of  the  theatre  called  upon  her  one 
morning,  and  requested  her  to  sustain  the  principal 
character  in  a  new  play  which  was  to  be  performed 
the  next  week  for  his  benefit.  She  had  frequently 
performed  this  character  to  general  admiration ;  but 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  201 

she  now,  however,  told  him  her  resolution  never  to 
appear  as  an  actress  again,  at  the  same  time  giving 
her  reasons.  At  first  he  attempted  to  overcome 
her  scruples  by  ridicule,  but  this  was  unavailing ; 
he  then  represented  the  loss  he  would  incur  by  her 
refusal,  and  concluded  his  arguments  by  promising, 
that  if  she  would  act  on  this  occasion,  it  would  be 
the  last  request  of  the  kind  he  should  ever  make. 
Unable  to  resist  his  solicitations,  she  promised  to 
appear,  and  on  the  appointed  evening  went  to  the 
theatre.  The  character  she  assumed  required  her, 
on  her  entrance,  to  sing  a  song;  and  when  the 
curtain  drew  up,  the  orchestra  began  the  accom- 
paniment. But  she  stood  as  if  lost  in  thought,  and 
as  one  forgetting  all  around  her,  and  her  own  situa- 
tion. The  music  ceased,  but  she  did  not  sing ;  sup- 
posing her  to  be  overcome  by  embarrassment,  the 
band  commenced  again.  A  second  time  they  paused 
for  her  to  begin,  and  still  she  did  not  open  her  lips. 
A  third  time  the  air  was  played,  and  then,  with 
clasped  hands,  and  eyes  suffused  with  tears,  she 
sang,  not  the  song,  but, 

"  Depth  of  mercy  !  can  there  be 
Mercy  still  reserved  for  me  ?" 

It  is  almost  needless  to  add,  that  the  performance 
was  suddenly  ended ;  many  ridiculed,  though  some 
were  induced  from  that  memorable  night  to  "  con- 
sider their  ways,"  and  to  reflect  on  the  wonderful 
power  of  that  religion  which  could  so  influence  the 


202  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

heart  and  change  the  life  of  one  so  vain,  and  so  evi- 
dently pursuing  "  the  road  to  ruin." 

It  might  be  satisfactory  to  the  reader  to  know, 

that  the  change  in  Miss was  as  permanent  us 

it  was  singular ;  she  walked  consistently  with  her 
profession  of  religion  for  a  number  of  years,  and  at 
length  became  the  wife  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel. 


CONVERSION  OF  THE  HALDANES. 

THE  Rev.  James  Haldane  (pastor  of  one  of  the 
Baptist  churches  in  Edinburgh,  Scotland),  says 
Rev.  Mr.  Turnbull,  was  a  junior  member  of  a 
highly  respectable  and  wealthy  family.  In  his 
youth  he  became  connected  with  the  British  navy, 
and  rose  to  the  post  of  captain,  in  one  of  his  majes- 
ty's war  ships.  On  one  occasion,  being  engaged 
in  a  warmly  contested  battle,  he  saw  the  whole  of 
his  men  on  deck  swept  off  by  a  tremendous  broad- 
side from  the  enemy.  He  ordered  another  company 
to  be  "  piped  up"  from  below,  to  take  the  place  of 
their  lost  companions.  On  coming  up,  they  saw 
their  mangled  remains  strewn  upon  the  deck,  and 
were  seized  with  a  sudden  and  irresistible  panic. 
On  seeing  this,  the  captain  jumped  up,  and  swore 
a  horrid  oath,  imprecating  the  vengeance  of  Al- 
mighty God  upon  the  whole  of  them,  and  wishing 
that  they  might  all  sink  to  hell.  An  old  marine, 
who  was  a  pious  man,  stepped  up  to  him,  and  re- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


speetfully  touching  his  hat,  said: — "Captain,  I 
believe  God  hears  prayer;  and  if  God  had  heard 
your  prayer  just  now,  what  would  have  become  of 
us?"  Having  spoken  this,  he  made  a  respectful 
bow,  and  retired  to  his  place.  After  the  engage- 
ment, the  captain  calmly  reflected  upon  the  words 
of  the  old  marine,  and  was  so  deeply  affected  by 
them,  that  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  claims 
of  religion,  and  was  subsequently  converted  to  God. 

Of  course  he  informed  his  brother  Robert  of  his 
change  of  views,  but,  instead  of  being  gratified  by 
it,  his  brother  was  greatly  offended,  and  requested 
him  never  to  enter  his  house  till  he  had  changed 
his  views.  '-  Very  well,  Robert,"  said  James,  "  but 
I  have  one  comfort  in  the  case,  and  that  is,  you 
cannot  prevent  my  praying  for  you ;"  and  holding 
out  his  hand,  he  bade  him  good-bye.  His  brother 
Robert  was  much  affected  by  this;  he  could  not 
get  rid  of  the  idea  that  his  brother  was  constantly 
praying  for  him.  He  saw  the  error  of  his  ways, 
and,  after  much  investigation  and  reflection,  became 
a  decided  Christian. 

Some  years  afterwards,  Robert  Haldane  made  a 
journey  to  the  continent,  and  settled  for  some  time 
in  Geneva.  He  was  much  affected  with  the  low 
spiritual  condition  of  the  Protestant  church  there, 
which  had  become  infected  with  the  rationalistic 
and  neological  views  prevalent  in  Germany.  In- 
deed, the  clergy  themselves  had  so  far  departed 
from  the  faith  of  the  Reformation,  as  to  reject 


204  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

almost  all  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  gospel, 
particularly  the  divinity  of  Christ,  and  the  doctrine 
s)f  atonement.  Mr.  Haldane  made  himself  ac- 
quainted with  the  students  attending  the  divinity 
school  in  Geneva,  and  invited  a  number  of  them  to 
his  house,  and,  by  free  conversation,  endeavored  to 
teach  them  the  gospel,  and  the  nature  of  spiritual 
religion.  This  he  frequently  repeated,  till,  at  last, 
God  blessed  his  efforts  to  the  conversion  of  ten  or 
twelve  of  them.  Among  them  were  Felix  Neff, 
subsequently  pastor  in  the  High  Alps,  and  one  of 
the  purest  and  most  devoted  men  that  ever  lived ; 
Henry  Pyt,  another  well  known  and  truly  pious 
man;  and  Henry  Merle  cTAulrigne,  well  known 
throughout  the  literary  and  religious  world  as  the 
author  of  the  History  of  the  Reformation,  and 
President  of  the  New  Evangelical  School  of  The- 
ology in  Geneva. 


THE  WRECKED  SAILOR  LED  TO  GOD. 

A  SHIP,  says  Rev.  John  Blain,  was  wrecked 
amongst  the  rocks,  near  Cape  Horn.  While  the 
winds  fiercely  blew,  and  the  foaming  billows 
dashed  the  timbers  in  pieces,  one  seaman  reached 
a  lonely,  barren  rock.  The  day  passed  slowly 
away.  He  stretched  his  eye  to  the  east  and  west, 
to  the  north  and  south,  over  the  deep,  dark,  and 
ever  restless  waters — but  no  friendly  sail  appeared  J 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  205 

The  sun  disappeared,  and  he  sat  down  to  pass  in 
solitude  the  lonely  night.  His  shipmates  were  cold 
and  silent  in  their  watery  graves.  The  waves 
dashed  against  the  rock,  the  winds  passed  swiftly 
onward,  the  lamps  of  night  shed  their  dismal  light 
on  the  bosom  of  the  deep — but  no  human  voice 
sounded  in  his  ear,  no  brother's  hand  administered 
to  his  wants.  Hunger  and  thirst  made  strong 
demands,  but  he  had  no  means  to  relieve  them. 
The  bread  and  the  water  were  entombed  with  his 
companions.  Nor  had  he  any  consolation  to  draw 
from  a  future  world.  The  Bible  and  the  Redeemer 
had  been  neglected,  and  he  was  strangely  indif- 
ferent. Another  day  came  and  passed,  and  another 
night.  On  the  third  night,  as  he  lay  on  his  back, 
gazing  into  the  starry  heavens,  be  began  to  think 
about  God  and  eternity.,  his  past  life,  and  the  inte- 
rests of  his  soul.  But  all  was  dark.  His  skin  was 
peeling  from  his  face,  his  teeth  all  loose,  his  thirst 
almost  intolerable,  and  death  seemed  to  stand  by 
his  side.  He  had  never  prayed,  nor  did  he  know 
how  to  pray.  A  single  commandment  was  all  he 
remembered,  and  that  commandment  his  dear 
mother  taught  him  when  a  child.  And  how  should 
he  meet  that  mother  and  his  God  in  a  future 
world  ?  His  sins  passed  in  review,  and  pressed  on 
his  guilty  conscience,  Avhile  bitter  tears  of  repent- 
ance began  to  roll  down  his  scalded  cheeks.  With- 
out knowing  what  the  Lord  required  of  him,  he 
rose,  stood  on  his  knees,  lifted  his  feeble  hands 
18 


206  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

towards  heaven,  and  there  on  that  lonely  rock,  far, 
far  away  from  home  and  friends,  he  submitted  all 
to  God,  and  most  solemnly  promised,  if  his  life  was 
spared,  he  would  learn  and  do  whatever  God  re- 
quired. From  that  consecrated  and  blessed  hour, 
peace  flowed  into  his  soul — Christ  was  his  Saviour, 
and  hope  entered  within  the  vail.  The  next  day 
the  life-boat  from  a  passing  ship  took  him  from  the 
Bethel  rock.  He  landed  in  Boston,  found  the 
sailor's  friend,  and  the  sailor's  home,  and  listened 
to  the  gospel  of  peace.  Father  Taylor  gave  him  a 
Bible,  which  he  read  with  prayerful  attention.  He 
came  to  New  York — visited  different  churches, 
searched  for  truth,  remembered  his  solemn  vow, 
and  in  February,  1843,  while  I  was  preaching  in 
the  Baptist  Tabernacle,  he  offered  himself  to  the 
church.  On  hearing  his  experience,  every  heart 
felt — every  eye  wept.  Brother  Wm.  W.  Evarts 
baptized  him,  welcomed  him  to  the  church,  and  he 
went  on  his  way  rejoicing. 


THE  INFIDEL'S  CHILD. 

THE  following  fact,  communicated  by  a  foreign 
correspondent  of  the  American  Spectator  at  Albany, 
shows  alike  the  blessing  of  Sunday  schools,  and  the 
influences  which  even  these  "  little  ones"  may  exert 
upon  others  for  good. 

In  the  city  of  London  there  lived  a  little  girl, 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  207 

who  attended,  for  three  years,  and  by  stealth,  the 
teaching  of  a  Sabbath  school.  Coming  under  the 
saving  influence  of  truth,  she  became  concerned  for 
her  father,  a  noted  infidel  and  active  opposer  to 
Christianity.  She  obtained  a  Bible,  but  knew  not 
how  to  put  it  into  his  hands;  for  she  feared  his 
displeasure,  and  dreaded  any  prohibition  which 
might  deprive  her  of  the  prized  advantages  of  the 
Sunday  school.  She  retired  to  seek  Divine  guid- 
ance. Her  father  passing  the  door  of  the  apart- 
ment, heard  the  voice  of  his  child ;  it  was  the  voice 
of  prayer — she  prayed  for  him.  He  became  affected, 
agitated,  distressed.  After  a  little  while,  the  family 
assembled  at  tea-table;  the  beverage  was  handed 
around,  but  he  could  not  partake. 

"  Is  there  a  Bible  in  the  house  ?"  said  he. 

"  My  dear,"  replied  his  wife,  apprehensive  of  the 
purposed  repetition  of  the  act,  "did  you  not  burn 
every  Bible  that  we  had,  not  leaving  so  much  as 
one  ?"  "  Is  there  any  other  good  book  then  ?"  he 
inquired.  His  little  daughter,  thinking  that  God 
might  be  answering  her  prayer,  arose  and  took  him 
by  the  hand,  and  asked  him  to  go  with  her ;  and 
when  they  had  left  the  room,  looking  into  his  face, 
said,  "  Father,  sure  you  won't  be  angry  with  me. 
Come  with  me,  and  I  will  get  you  one."  And  she 
brought  him  and  gave  him  the  Bible  which,  for  this 
very  purpose,  she  had  procured.  He  felt  deeply, 
and  trembling,  while  he  handed  it  back  to  her,  said, 
"  My  child,  I  cannot  read  this  book.  Will  you  read 


208  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

it  for  me  ?"  She  did  so.  And  then  taking  her  in 
his  arms  he  kissed  her,  and  said,  "  Tell  me,  my 
child,  where  did  you  get  this  book,  and  how  you 
obtained  the  knowledge  of  it  ?" 

She  told  him  all — how  she  attended  the  Sunday 
school,  the  effect  upon  herself,  and  how  she  became 
concerned  for  his  salvation.  That  evening,  he  ac- 
companied her  to  the  chapel.  As  they  entered,  the 
minister  was  engaged  in  prayer.  His  manner  and 
address  made  a  powerful  impression  on  the  father's 
mind,  for  he  seemed  to  walk  with  God.  The  sermon 
aided  in  deepening  the  impression.  It  was  an  inte- 
resting sight,  when,  two  or  three  Sundays  after- 
ward, that  father  appeared  in  that  chapel,  with  his 
wife  and  nine  children,  and  openly  renounced  his 
infidelity.  That  was  the  Weigh  House  chapel ;  the 
minister,  Thomas  Binney ;  and  that  infidel,  re- 
claimed through  the  influence  of  Sunday  school 
instruction  on  the  heart  of  his  child,  was  the  cele- 
brated author  of  "  The  Every  Day  Book." 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  MR.  COLLINS'S  FATHER. 

SHORTLY  after  Mr.  Collins  removed  his  family  to 
the  West,  he  became  deeply  solicitous  for  the  con- 
version of  his  father.  The  old  gentleman  remained 
in  New  Jersey, 'and  was  a  very  respectable  member 
of  the  Quaker  society.  This  feeling  became  so 
strong,  that  ho  was  led  to  the  determination  to  visit 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  209 

New  Jersey,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  soliciting  this 
parent  to  seek  religion.  He  set  out  on  horseback 
with  this  view;  and  during  the  long  journe}7,  he 
scarcely  passed  over  a  mile  of  the  road  without 
lifting  up  his  heart  to  God  in  prayer  for  his  venera- 
ble parent.  He  arrived  at  his  former  home  in 
safety,  and  was  kindly  and  affectionately  received 
by  his  family.  He  talked  much  of  religion,  and 
prayed  with  the  family.  Some  days  after  his  re- 
turn, his  father  observed  to  him,  "  John,  we  are  all 
glad  to  see  thee;  but  I  don't  like  thy  religion." 
This  was  unexpected,  and  it  greatly  depressed  him. 
After  some  reflection,  he  resolved  to  spend  the 
whole  ensuing  night  in  prayer  for  his  father.  Ac- 
cordingly, after  nightfall,  he  retired  to  the  barn, 
that  he  might  not  be  interrupted.  Here  he  was 
engaged  in  fervent  prayer,  until  near  ten  o'clock. 
Some  one  knocked  at  the  door;  but  he  made  no 
answer.  In  a  short  time,  another  messenger  came, 
and  opening  the  door,  discovered  him.  This  mes- 
senger was  his  sister,  who  had  experienced  religion, 
and  who  informed  him  that  he  had  been  sought  for 
in  his  room,  at  his  brother's,  near  by,  and  at  other 
places,  and  that  he  was  supposed  to  be  in  the  barn. 
And  she  told  him  that  their  father  was  suffering 
the  greatest  mental  agony,  and  wished  to  see  him. 
With  a  joyful  heart,  Mr.  Collins  hurried  to  the 
room  of  his  father,  and,  embracing  him,  wept  and 
prayed  with  him.  The  struggle  continued  till  near 
daylight,  when  deliverance  came. 

14 


210  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

His  father  was  filled  with  peace,  with  joy,  and 
triumph.  This  was  a  glorious  answer  to  his  tears 
and  prayers.  His  joy  was  inexpressible,  and  full 
of  glory.  The  father  and  son  were  united  more 
closely  than  they  ever  had  been.  Having  fulfilled 
his  mission,  and  attained  its  great  object,  Mr.  Collins 
separated  from  his  friends,  and  returned  to  his  home 
in  Ohio. — Life  of  Collins. 


THE  BEGGAR  AND  THE  DIVINE. 

THE  celebrated  mystical  writer,  Taulerus,  gives  an 
interesting  account  of  a  certain  divine,  who,  being 
ignorant  of  true  religion,  most  earnestly  besought 
God,  with  strong  cries  and  fervent  prayers,  for  the 
space  of  eight  years,  that  he  would  direct  him  to 
some  one  who  would  point  out  to  him  the  way  to 
heaven.  At  length  he  received  an  intimation,  that 
if  he  would  go  to  the  church,  he  would  there  find 
one  who  would  satisfy  the  longing  desires  of  his 
soul.  When  he  came  to  the  church,  he  saw  no  per- 
son but  a  poor,  care-worn  beggar,  clothed  in  tattered 
garments.  He  saluted  the  beggar  thus  : — 

"  God  grant  that  this  may  be  a  pleasant  morning 
to  thee." 

The  beggar  replied,  "  Sir,  I  do  not  recollect  of 
ever  having  experienced  an  unpleasant  morning." 

"  What  is  this  thou  sayest  ?"  exclaimed  the  aston- 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  211 

isliccl  divine.     "  I  hope  that  God  may  confer  every 
i'avor  upon  you." 

The  beggar  replied,  "  Sir,  God's  favors  have 
always  been  upon  me." 

The  divine,  being  much  perplexed,  and  not  know 
ing  how  to  understand  the  beggar,  requested  him  to 
explain  himself. 

"  That  I  will,  most  cheerfully,"  answered  the 
beggar.  "  You  first  wished  me  a  pleasant  morning. 
I  replied  that  I  had  never  experienced  an  unplea- 
sant one,  and  this  is  actually  the  case ;  for,  when  I 
am  hungry,  I  praise  God ;  when  I  am  cold,  I  praise 
him ;  when  it  rains  or  snows,  when  it  thunders  and 
lightens,  no  matter  what  kind  of  weather  it  is,  I 
always  praise  the  Lord ;  and  this  is  the  reason  why 
I  have  never  experienced  an  unpleasant  morning. 
You  then  wished  that  God  might  confer  every 
favor  upon  me.  To  this  I  replied,  that  God's  favors 
had  always  been  upon  me,  and  this  is  also  true. 
For  I  commit  myself  into  the  hands  of  God,  and 
am  certain  that  he  does  all  things  for  the  best. 
Everything,  therefore,  that  God  permits  to  befall 
me,  whether  it  be  sweet  or  sour,  joyful  or  sorrowful, 
fortunate  or  unfortunate,  I  look  upon  as  intended 
for  my  good,  and  receive  it  with  gratitude ;  for  all 
things  must  work  together  for  the  good  of  them  that 
love  the  Lord." 

At  this  discourse  the  divine  was  astonished,  and 
asked  him  this  question  :  "  What  would  you  do,  if 
God  should  cast  you  into  hell  ?" 


212  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

"Cast  me  into  hell!"  exclaimed  the  beggar; 
"  that  God  will  not  do :  but  if  he  were  to  cast  me 
into  hell,  I  have  two  arms — an  arm  of  faith,  and  an 
arm  of  love :  with  these  I  would  lay  hold  on  God, 
and  cling  to  him  so  firmly,  that  I  would  take  him 
with  me  down  to  hell.  And  surely  no  evil  could 
befall  me  then ;  for  I  would  rather  be  with  God  in 
hell,  than  to  be  in  Jieaven  without  1dm"  It  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  say,  that  the  divine  found  out  that  the 
way  to  heaven  is  to  believe  and  love. 


ANSWER  TO  PRAYER. 

"  HAVE  you  heard,"  said  a  friend  whom  I  met 

one  morning,  "  of  the  conversion  of and 

his  wife  ?"  Is  it  possible !  Is  it  possible  !  I  was  well 

acquainted  with  Mr. and  his  wife.  I  knew 

him  to  be  a  skeptical  Universalist,  who  had  failed  in 
trade,  and  seemed. to  be  unfriendly  towards  every 
thing,  but  especially  towards  the  religion  of  Christ. 
I  knew  him  to  be  in  many  respects,  "  far  from  right- 
eousness," and  to  human  appearance,  very  unlikely 
to  become  a  disciple  of  Christ. 

The  circumstances  of  his  conversion,  which  it  was 
my  principal  design  to  relate,  were  the  following. 
His  wife,  who  was  naturally  an  unassuming  and 
amiable  woman,  had  her  attention  by  some  means 
arrested,  and  became  anxious  to  attend  the  public 
worship  of  God.  On  Sabbath  morning  she  stated 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  213 

to  her  husband  her  desire,  if  he  had  no  objection, 
to  attend  meeting  at  the  "  white  meeting-house :" 
apparently  offended,  he  instantly  expressed  his 
unwillingness;  but  added,  that  he  had  no  objec- 
tion to  her  going  to  the  other  house.  The  only 
cause  doubtless  of  his  preference  at  that  time  was, 
the  revival  existed  almost  exclusively  among  the 
congregation  belonging  to  the  "  white  house." 
Being  grieved  with  his  refusal,  and  at  the  spirit 
which  he  exhibited,  the  woman,  when  their  break- 
fast was  passed,  unobserved  left  the  house  for  a 
thicket  of  bushes  which  stood  at  a  little  distance 
across  a  field.  The  husband  also  left  the  house  and 
directed  his  course  to  the  same  place,  but  for  very 
different  purposes.  The  house  and  most  of  the  farm 
being  concealed  by  hills  and  forests  from  the  inspec- 
tion of  all  but  now  and  then  a  traveller,  it  afforded 
him  an  opportunity,  which  he  was  too  ready  to 
improve,  to  waste  the  holy  Sabbath  in  wandering 
about  the  fields.  At  this  time,  he  was  furnished 
with  a  powerful  temptation,  by  the  clusters  of  ber- 
ries that  grew  upon  the  borders  of  the  field.  Here, 
while  busily  partaking  of  these  clusters,  he  heard 
indistinctly  a  human  voice ;  he  listened — and  the 
first  distinct  sentence  that  fell  upon  his  ear,  was  a 
prayer  in  a  voice  that  he  instantly  recognised, 
and  from  a  heart  that  felt  beyond  the  power  of 
description.  It  was  a  prayer  for  him.  That  was 
the  time  for  the  Spirit  of  God.  His  heart  melted, 
and  he  literally  fell  to  the  ground.  After  a  short 


214  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

season  he  arose  and  returned  to  his  house,  and  with 
a  pale  countenance,  and  trembling  solemnity  that 
can  scarcely  be  conceived,  informed  his  wife  (who 
had  returned  home  before  him,  not  knowing  where 
he  had  been)  that  he  would  accompany  her  to 
church,  and  to  the  "white  meeting-house,"  if  she 
would  assist  him  in  making  preparations.  With 
astonishment  she  heard  this,  and  immediately  began 
to  bring  forward  his  clothes.  The  shock,  however, 
which  he  had  received,  was  too  much  for  his  hardy 
constitution.  He  threw  himself  upon  his  bed,  and 
began  audibly  to  cry  for  mercy.  His  distress  of 
mind  continued  to  increase,  till  the  powers  of  his 
body  were  prostrate,  and  about  the  middle  of  the 
afternoon  service,  a  messenger  was  despatched  for 
the  minister  at  the  "white  meeting-house,"  the 
man,  who  of  all  others,  till  then,  he  had  most 
sincerely  hated.  At  the  close  of  divine  service, 
the  minister  went  immediately  to  see  him,  and 
found  him  writhing  and  groaning  upon  his  bed. 
In  this  state  of  mind  he  continued  till  near  morn- 
ing, when  he  became  a  little  composed.  It  was 
not,  if  I  correctly  remember,  more  than  two  or 
three  days,  before  he  was  rejoicing  in  the  Lord, 
apparently  a  "  new  man."  In  process  of  time,  he 
and  his  wife  both  united  with  the  people  of  God, 
and,  according  to  the  best  information  I  had,  they 
were  walking  in  the  "  footsteps  of  his  flock." 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  215 


THE  SIXPENCE. 

SOME  time  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century, 
says  Eev.  Mr.  Grinnell,  a  missionary  from  one  of 
the  New  England  Societies  was  laboring  in  the 
interior  of  the  state  of  New  York,  where  the  settle- 
ments were  very  few  and  far  between.  This  mis- 
sionary was  much  devoted  to  his  work,  meek  and 
affable,  and  possessed  of  a  remarkable  faculty  for 
introducing  the  subject  of  religion  to  every  indi- 
vidual with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  On  a  hot 
summer's  day,  while  his  horse  was  drinking  from  a 
small  brook  through  which  he  rode,  there  came 
along  a  poor-dressed,  bare-headed,  bare-footed  boy, 
about  seven  years  old,  and  stood  looking  at  the 
missionary  from  the  bridge  just  above  him. 

"  My  son,"  said  the  missionary,  "  have  you  any 
parents  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir ;  they  live  in  that  house,"  pointing  to 
a  cabin  near  by. 

"  Do  your  parents  pray  ?" 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Why  do  they  not  pray  ?' 

"  I  do  not  know,  sir." 

"  Do  you  pray  ?" 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Why  do  you  not  pray  ?" 

"  I  do  not  know  how  to  pray." 

"Can  you  read?" 


216  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  my  mother  has  taught  me  to  read  the 
New  Testament." 

"  If  I  will  give  you  this  sixpence,  will  you  go 
home  and  read  the  third  chapter  of  John,  and  rend 
the  third  verse  over  three  times  ?"  The  little  boy 
said  he  would ;  and  the  missionary  gave  him  the 
sixpence  and  rode  on. 

Some  twenty  years  had  elapsed,  and  the  same 
missionary,  advanced  in  years,  was  laboring  in  a 
sparsely  peopled  region,  in  another  part  of  the  same 
state.  While  on  his  way  to  a  little  village  one  day, 
late  in  the  afternoon,  he  called  at  a  small  house, 
and  inquired  the  distance.  "  Six  miles,"  was  the 
reply.  He  then  stated  that  himself  and  horse  were 
very  weary,  and  inquired  if  he  could  not  stay  all 
night.  The  woman  of  the  house  objected  on 
account  of  their  poverty,  but  the  husband  said, 
"  Sir,  you  shall  be  welcome  to  such  as  we  have." 

The  missionary  dismounted  and  went  in.  The 
wife  began  to  prepare  his  supper,  while  the  husband 
proceeded  to  take  care  of  the  horse.  As  he  came 
in,  the  missionary  addressed  him :  "  Do  you  love 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ?"  "  That,"  said  the  man, 
"  is  a  great  question."  "  True,"  said  the  mission- 
ary, "  but  I  cannot  eat  till  you  tell  me."  "  Sir," 
said  the  man,  "  about  twenty  years  ago,  I  lived  in 
the  interior  of  this  state,  and  was  then  about  seven 
years  old.  While  playing  in  the  road  one  day,  a 
gentleman  in  black  rode  into  the  brook  near  by  me, 
to  water  his  horse.  As  I  stood  on  the  bridge  above 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  217 

looking  at  him,  he  began  to  converse  with  me  about 
praying,  and  reading  the  Bible;  and  told  me  he 
would  give  me  a  sixpence  if  I  would  read  the  third 
chapter  of  John,  and  the  third  verse  three  times — 
"  And  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  him,  Verily  I 
say  unto  thee,  except  a  man  be  born  again  he 
cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God."  I  gave  him 
my  promise,  took  the  money,  and  felt  wealthy 
indeed.  I  went  home,  and  read  as  I  had  promised. 
That  verse  produced  an  uneasiness  in  my  mind, 
which  followed  me  for  days  and  years,  and  finally 
I  was  led  by  its  influence,  as  I  trust,  to  love  Jesus 
as  my  Saviour !"  "  Glory  to  God !"  said  the  mis- 
sionary, rising  from  his  seat ;  "  here  is  one  of  my 
spiritual  children  ;  the  bread  cast  on  the  waters  is 
found  after  many  days !" 

They  took  their  supper,  and  talked,  and  sang, 
and  prayed,  and  rejoiced  together  all  night  long, 
neither  of  them  having  any  disposition  to  sleep. 
The  missionary  found  him  to  be  poor  in  this  world's 
goods,  but  rich  in  faith,  and  an  heir  of  the  kingdom. 
Early  in  the  morning  they  parted,  and  the  mission- 
ary went  his  way,  inspired  with  fresh  zeal  for  the 
prosecution  of  his  pious  labors. 


THE  CHILD  AND  THE  SHOEMAKER. 

WHEN  Mr.  Whitfield  was  preaching  in  America, 
a  certain  lady  in  New  England  became  a  subject 

19 


218  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

of  grace,  and  a  praying,  experienced  Christian. 
But  she  was  alone  in  her  exercises ;  she  could  in- 
fluence none  to  pray  with  her  but  her  little  daugh- 
ter, between  nine  and  eleven  years  of  age.  This 
child  she  took  into  her  closet  with  her,  from  day  to 
day,  a  witness  to  her  cries  and  tears.  It  pleased 
God,  after  some  time,  to  touch  the  heart  of  the 
child,  and  after  sorrow  for  sin,  to  give  her  the 
knowledge  of  salvation  through  the  remission  of 
sin.  The  child,  then  about  eleven  years  of  age,  in 
a  transport  which  is  so  peculiar  to  such  a  blessed 
experience,  said,  "  0,  mother,  if  all  the  world  knew 
this  !  I  wish  I  could  tell  everybody !  Pray,  mother, 
let  me  run  to  some  of  the  neighbors,  and  tell  them, 
that  they  may  be  happy,  and  love  my  Saviour  too." 

"  Ah !  my  dear  child,"  said  the  mother,  "  that 
would  be  needless ;  for  I  suppose  if  you  were  to  tell 
your  experience,  there  is  not  one  in  many  miles 
but  what  would  laugh  at  you,  and  say  it  was  all 
delusion." 

"  0,  mother,"  said  the  child,  "  I  think  they  would 
believe  me.  I  must  go  over  to  the  shoemaker  and 
tell  him ;  he  will  believe  me." 

She  ran  over,  and  found  him  at  work  in  his  shop. 
She  began  by  telling  him  that  he  must  die,  and  that 
he  was  a  sinner,  and  that  she  was  a  sinner,  but  that 
her  blessed  Saviour  had  heard  her  mother's  prayers, 
and  had  forgiven  all  her  sins ;  and  that  now  she 
was  so  happy  she  did  not  know  how  to  tell  it !  The 
shoemaker  was  struck ;  his  tears  flowed  down  like 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  219 

rain ;  he  threw  aside  his  work,  and  cried  for  mercy, 
by  prayer  and  supplication.  That  alarmed  the 
neighborhood,  and  in  a  few  months  from  that  time 
there  were  above  fifty  people  brought  to  the  know- 
ledge of  Jesus,  and  experienced  his  power  and 
grace. 


THE  EMPEROR  ALEXANDER. 

THE  following  incident  is  related  in  a  letter  of 
the  Russian  Princess,  Mestchersky,  and  published 
in  a  volume  of  observations  on  Russia,  which  has 
just  appeared  in  London,  from  the  pen  of  Dr. 
Pinkerton,  the  well  known  agent  of  the  British 
and  Foreign  Bible  Society : — 

About  the  middle  of  the  year  1812,  the  emperor, 
about  to  quit  St.  Petersburg,  and  having  already 
taken  leave  of  his  august  famih  ^ad  retired  into 
his  cabinet,  and,  quite  alone,  was  employed  in  ar- 
ranging some  affairs  before  his  departure.  All  at 
once  he  beheld  a  female  enter,  whom  at  first  he  did 
not  recognise,  there  being  little  light  in  the  room. 
Astonished  at  this  apparition — for  never  was  a  wo- 
man permitted  to  enter  his  cabinet  without  leave, 
not  even  of  his  own  family,  and  above  all  at  this 
unseasonable  hour — he  however  arose,  went  to  meet 
her,  and  perceived  it  to  be  the  Countess  Tolstoi, 
who,  excusing  herself  for  the  liberty  she  had  taken, 
from  a  desire  to  wish  him  a  happy  journey,  pre- 


220  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

sented  him  at  the  same  time  with  a  paper.  The 
emperor,  at  all  times  condescending,  and  sensible  of 
the  least  proof  of  attachment,  thanked  her,  and  bade 
her  adieu.  The  paper  he  supposed  to  contain  a 
petition  for  something,  and  therefore  put  it  into  his 
pocket ;  and  when  she  was  gone  resumed  his  former 
employment.  Soon  after  he  took  his  departure 
without  thinking  more  about  it. 

At  the  first  night's  quarters,  fatigued  with  cares, 
and  alone,  he  wished  to  ease  his  thoughts  by  turn- 
ing them  to  some  specific  object.  He  took  out  the 
paper  from  his  pocket,  opened  it,  and  saw  with  sur- 
prise that  it  contained  the  ninety-first  psalm.  He 
read  it  with  pleasure,  and  its  Divine  contents  calmed 
his  troubled  spirit :  and  his  heart  said  in  secret,  "  0 
that  these  words  were  addressed  to  me  !"  As  this 
thought  passed  through  his  mind  some  one  entered 
the  room  and  interrupted  him.  He  again  set  off, 
and  all  was  forgotten. 

A  considerable  time  after  this  he  found  himself  in 
Moscow,  in  one  of  the  most  critical  periods  of  his 
life  (Who  can  be  ignorant  of  the  terrible  events  of 
the  memorable  year  1812?).  Alone  in  his  cabinet 
he  was  arranging  some  books  on  a  table,  one  of 
which  caused  a  volume  of  the  Bible  to  fall  down 
(it  was  De  Sacy's  version  in  4to).  In  falling  it 
opened,  and  the  emperor  on  taking  it  up  happened 
to  cast  his  eye  upon  the  page,  and  behold  again  the 
psalm  which  had  once  comforted  him  ! — At  this 
time  he  recognised  the  voice  which  called  him,  and 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  221 

he  replied  and  said,  '"'Here  I  am,  Lord!  speak  to 
thy  servant !"  He  read — he  applied  what  he  read 
— and  he  found  every  word  suitable  to  himself;  mid 
ever  after,  until  his  last  breath,  he  carried  this  psalm 
ab:mt  his  person,  learned  it  by  heart,  and  evening 
and  morning  recited  it  at  his  devotions. 

The  princess  gives  the  following  as  the  observa- 
tions of  the  emperor  on  his  religious  progress  : — 

"  I  felt  myself,"  said  he,  "  like  a  child.  Experi- 
ence has  taught  me  my  insufficiency.  Faith  made 
me  commit  myself  entirely  to  Him  who  hath  spoken 
to  me  in  the  psalm,  and  had  inspired  me  with  a 
security  and  a  force  altogether  new  to  me.  At 
every  fresh  difficulty  to  be  overcome,  at  every  deci- 
sion to  be  taken,  or  question  to  be  solved,  I  went, 
if  I  had  an  opportunity,  and  threw  myself  at  the 
feet  of  my  Father  who  is  in  heaven,  or  recollecting 
myself  for  a  few  moments,  I  cried  to  him  from  the 
bottom  of  my  heart,  and  all  was  smoothed,  decided, 
and  executed  marvellously — all  difficulties  fled  be- 
fore the  Lord,  who  marched  before  me.  Without 
ceasing  I  read  his  word."  These  are  his  own 
words.  She  adds  : — 

And  I  must  say  that  I  have  often  been  astonished 
— and  not  only  I,  but  other  persons  also,  even  the 
most  instructed  and  advanced  Christians  have  been 
compelled  to  admire  his  enlightened  faith,  and  his 
deep  knowledge,  drawn  purely  from  the  sacred 
Scriptures — his  true  humility,  and  how  he  gave 
himself  up  to  that  simplicity  which  the  Lord  re- 
19* 


222  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

quires  when  he  promiseth,  "  Verily  I  say  unto  you, 
except  ye  be  converted,  and  become  as  little  child- 
ren, ye  shall  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 


GOD  MEANT  IT  FOR  GOOD. 

A  FEW  years  since,  says  a  writer  in  Pastor's  Jour- 
nal, I  was  engaged  in  a  wholesale  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  the  city  of  New  York ;  but  ill  health  and 
other  circumstances  compelled  me  to  close  it  and 
remove  to  the  country.  My  young  men  were  most 
of  them  from  pious  families;  some  were  warm- 
hearted Christians,  and  all  of  them  succeeded  in 
finding  eligible  situations  but  one.  S.  was  my 
youngest  clerk;  his  talents  were  respectable;  his 
conduct,  as  far  as  I  could  judge,  was  irreproacha- 
ble ;  but  my  best  efforts,  and  those  of  his  friends, 
could  not  secure  him  a  situation.  After  months 
spent  in  vain  endeavors  to  find  an  opening  in  the 
business  of  his  choice,  and  a  year  occupied  on  a 
foreign  voyage  without  success,  he  returned  to  the 
country  and  engaged  reluctantly  in  a  mechanical 
business,  which  his  father  followed,  near  the  place 
where  I  had  settled.  I  saw  him  but  seldom ;  but 
when  I  met  him  as  his  friend,  I  was  treated  with 
marked  coldness.  I  was  at  a  loss  to  account  for  it, 
and  at  length  demanded  an  explanation,  when  I 
found  the  whole  family  considered  me  culpably  to 
blame  in  not  procuring  him  a  situation  in  New 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  223 

York,  after  I  had  no  longer  occasion  for  his  services. 
It  was  indeed  a  mystery  even  to  myself,  that  the 
path  to  manhood  chosen  by  S.  and  his  friends, 
should  be  so  hedged  up  as  to  compel  him  to  walk 
in  another.  S.  however  continued  his  mechanical 
pursuits,  and,  in  the  providence  of  God,  was  directed 
to  the  neighborhood  of  a  protracted  meeting.  He 
was  the  child  of  many  prayers,  and  had  more  than 
once  lived  through  an  awakening  unchanged,  though 
not  unaffected.  He  was  now  drawn,  by  an  impulse 
he  could  not  resist,  to  attend  this  meeting,  feeling 
that  it  might  be  the  last  strivings  of  the  Spirit. 
With  trembling  he  took  his  place  on  the  anxious 
seat,  and,  overwhelmed  with  emotion,  he  retired 
from  the  meeting  to  a  field,  where  he  gave  himself 
away  to  his  Saviour,  and  the  Spirit  spake  peace  to 
his  soul.  It  was  but  a  few  days  after  this  happy 
event,  S.  returned  to  our  village  (where  his  parents 
still  reside),  and  the  humble,  meek,  and  gentle  air 
which  his  manly  countenance  had  assumed,  in  place 
of  the  haughty,  discontented  form,  was  apparent  to 
every  one.  I  was  confined  to  my  house  by  indis- 
position, and  was  delighted  to  welcome  him  who 
had  scarcely  entered  my  dwelling  since  his  return 
from  the  city.  He  modestly  gave  me  an  account 
of  the  change  in  his  feelings  and  happiness,  in  pre- 
sence of  some  members  of  my  family,  and  solicited 
a  private  interview.  On  retiring  with  him,  he  said 
to  me,  with  tears  in  his  eyes  :  "  My  mind  has  been 
sorely  troubled  by  tlie  recollection  of  some  things  I  did 


224  REMARK ABLE 

in  your  store.  I  was  tempted  to  take  sundry  sin  all 
articles,  for  my  own  use,  without  your  knowledge  or 
consent,  amounting,  I  should  think,  to  five  dollars, 
and  I  cannot  rest  until  I  have  paid  you  for  them  !  f 
A  crowd  of  reflections  rushed  into  my  mind.  I  felt 
ovefwhelmed  for  a  moment  with  a  sense  of  the 
goodness  of  God,  in  so  counteracting  all  his  plans 
as  to  save  him  from  the  vortex  which  was  opening 
before  him.  He  had  begun  to  rob  his  employer, 
and,  as  the  progress  in  vice  is  rapid  downward,  had 
not  a  kind  Providence  interposed,  S.  would,  in  all 
probability,  have  become,  ere  this,  a  tenant  of  the 
state  prison,  and  brought  down  the  gra}''  hairs  of 
his  parents  with  sorrow  to  the  grave.  I  pointed 
out  to  him,  as  I  trust,  faithfully  and  profitably,  the 
finger  of  God  in  his  rescue,  and  encouraged  him  to 
persevere  unto  the  end.  It  is  now  nearly  two  years 
since  this  interview,  and  S.  has  continued  to  give 
evidence  of  the  sincerity  of  the  change,  and  bids 
fair  to  become  an  ornament  to  society  and  a  pillar 
in  the  church  of  Christ. 


SECTION   II. 

Conversions  %  tljc  ^ible  or  ftlnintclligtnt 


THE  INFIDEL  AND  THE  FIRST  CHAPTER  OF  JOHN. 

FRANCIS  JUNIUS,  the  younger,  was  a  considerable 
scholar,  but  by  no  means  prejudiced  in  favor  of  the 
Scriptures,  as  appears  by  his  own  account,  which  is 
as  follows  : — 

My  father,  who  was  frequently  reading  the  New 
Testament,  and  had  long  observed  with  grief  the 
progress  I  had  made  in  infidelity,  had  put  that  book 
in  my  way  in  his  library,  in  order  to  attract  my 
attention,  if  it  might  please  God  to  bless  his  design, 
though  without  giving  me  the  least  intimation  of 
it.  Here,  therefore,  I  unwittingly  opened  the  New 
Testament,  thus  providentially  laid  before  me.  At 
the  very  first  view,  as  I  was  deeply  engaged  in 
other  thoughts,  that  grand  chapter  of  the  evange- 
list and  apostle  presented  itself  to  me,  "  In  the  be- 
ginning was  the  Word,"  &c.  I  read  part  of  the 
chapter,  and  was  so  affected,  that  I  instantly  became 
struck  with  the  divinity  of  the  argument,  and  the 

15  (225) 


226  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

majesty  and  authority  of  the  composition,  as  infi- 
nitely surpassing  the  highest  flights  of  human  elo- 
quence. My  body  shuddered ;  my  mind  was  all  in 
amazement ;  and  I  was  so  agitated  the  whole  day, 
that  I  scarce  knew  who  I  was.  "  Thou  didst  re- 
member me,  0  Lord  my  God,  according  to  thy 
boundless  mercy,  and  didst  bring  back  the  lost  sheep 
to  thy  flock."  From  that  day  God  wrought  so 
mightily  in  me  by  the  power  of  his  Spirit,  that  I 
began  to  have  less  relish  for  all  other  studies  and 
pursuits,  and  bent  myself  with  greater  ardor  and 
attention  to  everything  which  had  a  relation  to 
God. 


THE  PERTINENT  TEXT. 

ONE  Sabbath  morning,  while  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bedell, 
of  Philadelphia,  was  preaching,  a  young  man  passed 
by,  with  a  number  of  companions,  as  gay  and 
thoughtless  as  himself.  One  of  them  proposed  to 
go  into  the  church,  saying,  "  Let  us  go  and  hear 
what  this  man  has  to  say,  that  everybody  is 
running  after."  The  young  man  made  this  awful 
answer :  "  No ;  I  would  not  go  into  such  a  place  if 
Christ  himself  was  preaching."  Some  weeks  after, 
he  was  again  passing  the  church,  and  being  alone, 
and  having  nothing  to  do,  he  thought  he  would  go 
in  without  being  observed.  On  opening  the  door, 
he  was  struck  with  awe  at  the  solemn  silence  of 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  227 

the  place,  though  it  was  much  crowded.  Every 
eye  was  fixed  on  the  preacher,  who  was  to  begin 
his  discourse.  His  attention  was  instantly  caught 
by  the  text,  "  I  discerned  among  the  youths  a  young 
man  void  of  understanding :"  Prov.  vii.  7.  His 
conscience  was  smitten  by  the  power  of  truth.  He 
saw  that  he  was  the  young  man  described.  A  view 
of  his  profligate  life  passed  before  his  eyes,  and,  for 
the  first  time,  he  trembled  under  the  feeling  of  sin. 
He  remained  in  the  church  till  the  preacher  and 
congregation  had  passed  out ;  then  slowly  returned 
to  his  home.  He  had  early  received  infidel  princi- 
ples, but  the  Holy  Spirit  who  had  aroused  him  in 
his  folly,  led  him  to  a  constant  attendance  on  the 
ministry  of  Dr.  B.,  who  had  been  the  instrument 
of  awakening  his  mind.  He  cast  away  his  besetting 
sin,  and  gave  himself  to  a  life  of  virtue  and  holi- 
ness. He  afterwards  declared  openly  his  faith  in 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  his  desire  to  devote 
himself  to  his  service. 


THE  SPIRITUAL  LIFE-BUOY. 

SAID  a  youth  to  one  of  the  secretaries  of  the 
Bethel  Companies :  "  I  sailed  from  London,  in  a 
Scotch  vessel,  for  the  West  Indies,  second  mate, 
the  most  abandoned  wretch  that  ever  sailed  on  salt 
water,  particularly  noted  for  profane  swearing.  Oir 
captain,  though  a  good  seaman,  and  kind  to  I  is 


228  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

ship's  company,  cared  not  either  for  his  own  soul, 
or  for  the  souls  of  his  ship's  crew.  We  had  been 
at  sea  about  sixteen  days,  when  one  night,  during 
my  watch  on  deck,  a  sudden  puff  of  wind  caused 
the  vessel  to  give  a  heavy  lurch.  Not  being  pre- 
pared to  meet  it,  I  was  capsized,  and  came  head  on 
against  one  of  the  stanchions.  Feeling  much  hurt, 
I  gave  vent  to  my  anger  by  a  dreadful  oath,  cursing 
the  wind,  the  ship,  the  sea,  and  (awful  to  mention) 
the  Being  who  made  them.  Scarce  had  this  horrid 
oath  escaped  me  when  it  appeared  to  roll  back  upon 
my  mind  with  so  frightful  an  image,  that  I  ran  aft, 
and  for  a  moment  or  two  thought  I  saw  the  sea 
parting,  and  the  vessel  going  down.  All  that  night 
my  awful  oath  was  passing  before  my  eyes  like  a 
spectre,  and  its  consequences,  my  certain  damna- 
tion. For  several  days  I  was  miserable ;  ashamed 
to  say  the  cause.  I  asked  one  of  the  men  for  a 
book ;  he  gave  me  one  of  Rousseau's  novels.  I 
asked  him  for  a  Testament,  and  he  sneeringly 
answered  by  asking  me  if  I  was  going  to  die.  He 
never  troubled  himself  with  these  things ;  he  left 
Bibles  and  prayer-books  to  the  priests.  Several 
days  thus  passed  in  the  greatest  torment,  this 
dreadful  oath  always  before  me,  and  the  devil  con- 
tinually harassing  me  with  the  dreadful  thought, 
*  I  shall  be  damned,  I  shall  be  damned.'  I  could 
not  pray ;  indeed,  I  thought  it  of  no  use.  On  the 
fifth  day  I  was  turning  over  some  things  in  my 
chest,  when  I  found  some  trifles  I  had  purchased 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  229 

for  sea-stock  wrapped  in  paper — this  piece  of  paper 
(putting  his  hand  at  the  same  time  into  his  pocket, 
and  from  a  small  red  case  taking  out  a  leaf  contain- 
ing nearly  the  whole  of  the  first  chapter  of  Isaiah). 
Oh !  how  my  heart  throbbed,  when  I  found  it  a 
part  of  the  Bible  !  But,  sir,"  said  he,  with  a  tear, 
"  conceive  what  I  felt  at  these  words,  '  Though 
your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  white  as 
snow ;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shall 
be  as  wool !' '  He  paused  to  wipe  away  the  tears. 
Indeed,  says  the  secretary,  my  eyes  needed  wiping 
too.  "  0,  sir,"  he  continued,  "  like  a  drowning 
man  I  clung  to  this  life-buoy ;  on  this  I  laid  my 
soul,  while  the  billows  were  going  over  me.  I 
prayed,  and  the  Lord  was  graciously  pleased  to 
remove  in  some  measure  the  great  guilt  from  my 
conscience,  though  I  continued  mournful  and  bowed 
down  until  last  evening,  on  board  the  Mayflower, 
I  stowed  away  among  the  Bethel  Company.  There 
the  Lord  spoke  my  pardon  and  peace.  I  am  now 
like  poor  Legion,  going  home  to  my  friends,  to  tell 
them  what  great  things  the  Lord  has  done  for  me. 
Farewell,  sir."  Farewell,  my  lad;  the  Lord  go 
with  you. 

A  FAITHFUL  PHYSICIAN. 

IN  the  year  1826,  I  was  requested  by  a  Univer- 
salist  to  call  at  his  house  to  see  an  aged  uncle,  who 
had  been  confined  to  his  room  two  years,  and  to 
20 


230  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

his  bed  eighteen  months,  with  the  rheumatism.  I 
called  the  next  day,  and  on  observing  a  collection 
of  books  on  the  table  in  the  parlor,  I  inquired  of 
the  lady  whether  they  owned  a  large  family  Bible. 
She  replied,  "  We  never  owned  a  Bible."  I  was 
then  shown  the  way  up  to  the  small  garret  where 
lay  the  sick  man,  whose  furrowed  face  and  gray 
hairs  seemed  to  tell  me  that  time  with  him  would 
soon  be  no  more.  He  pressed  my  hand,  and  said  he 
was  glad  to  see  me.  I  inquired  into  the  history  of 
his  life.  He  said  he  was  about  sixty-three  years 
of  age ;  that  he  had  lived  a  single  life ;  and  that  he 
had  left  him  by  his  friends  a  farm  worth  between 
six  and  seven  thousand  dollars.  By  associating 
with  bad  company,  he  contracted  the  habit  of  using 
liquor  to  excess.  He  had  been  a  drunkard  many 
years,  and  had  spent  all  his  property  at  the  intoxi- 
cating cup.  He  had  not  owned  a  Bible  for  thirty 
years,  nor  been  inside  a  church  for  fifteen  years.  I 
addressed  to  him  some  words  of  advice  suited  to  his 
case.  He  said  he  was  sensible  he  must  die ;  and  if 
there  was  a  judgment-seat  in  the  future  world,  he 
could  not  be  saved.  The  next  day  I  called  on  him 
again.  I  offered  to  bring  him  a  Bible,  on  condition 
that  he  would  read  a  chapter  a  day.  He  declined. 
I  tried  twenty  verses  a  day.  Finally  he  agreed  to 
take  the  Bible,  on  condition  that  he  should  read 
five  verses  in  a  day.  The  next  day  I  carried  him 
the  Bible,  and  the  first  night  he  read  the  book  of 
Genesis  through.  The  next  morning,  as  I  spoke  to 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  231 

him  of  the  interests  of  his  soul,  he  said  I  was  the 
only  person  who  had  conversed  with  him  on  the 
subject  of  religion  for  thirty  years.  A  day  or  two 
after,  I  called  again,  when  he  burst  into  tears,  and 
said  his  soul  was  in  distress,  and  that  he  could  not 
sleep ;  that  he  felt  he  was  a  poor,  guilty,  helpless 
sinner;  and  he  had  been  praying  that  he  might 
repent,  and  have  his  many  sins  forgiven. 

His  health  improved,  and  in  six  weeks  he  re- 
moved from  this  to  another  village.  I  heard  nothing 
from  him,  but  supposed,  from  his  previous  habits, 
and  the  inveteracy  of  his  disease,  that  he  was  dead. 
One  day,  about  sunset,  as  I  was  standing  on  the 
step  of  my  door,  I  observed  an  old  man  approach- 
ing. He  came  up  to  me,  and  took  hold  of  my  arm, 
and  asked  me  if  I  was  the  doctor.  I  answered  yes, 
and  invited  him  into  my  office,  when  he  asked  me 
if  I  knew  him.  I  told  him  I  did  not.  He  burst 
into  tears ;  and  then  with  great  earnestness  stated, 

that  he  was  the  old  man  that  I  attended  in a 

year  ago.  I  immediately  recognised  him.  "  I  have 
come,"  said  he,  "  sixteen  miles  on  purpose  to  tell 
you  that  my  health  is  restored,  and  that  Bible  you 
gave  me  lias  saved  my  soul.  I  am  a  new  man.  I 
can  earn  a  comfortable  living ;  and  all  I  care  about 
is  to  fit  my  poor  soul  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
I  carry  that  Bible  in  my  bosom  into  the  field,  and 
into  my  shop.  I  go  to  church  regularly  on  the 
Sabbath,  and  have  become  a  professor  of  religion. 
I  thank  God  that  I  have  been  spared  to  taste  of 


2,°,2  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

the  bread  of  life  at  the  eleventh  hour."  "  Is  not 
my  word,  saith  the  Lord,  like  a  hammer,  that 
breaketh  the  rock  in  pieces  ?" 


THE  BULLET  AND  THE  BIBLE. 

DR.  JOHN  EVANS,  the  author  of  some  excellent 
sermons  on  the  Christian  temper,  introduced,  on 
one  occasion,  a  sermon  to  young  people,  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner : — 

Shall  I  be  allowed  to  preface  this  discourse  with 
relating  a  passage  concerning  an  acquaintance  of 
mine,  who  has  been  many  years  dead,  but  which.  I 
remember  to  have  received,  when  young,  from 
himself?  When  he  was  an  apprentice  in  this  city, 
the  civil  war  began ;  his  inclination  led  him  into 
the  army,  where  he  had  a  captain's  commission. 
It  was  fashionable  for  all  the  men  of  that  army  to 
carry  a  Bible  along  with  them ;  which,  therefore, 
he  and  many  others  did,  who  yet  made  little  use 
of  it,  and  hardly  had  any  sense  of  serious  religion. 
At  length  he  was  commanded,  with  his  company, 
to  storm  a  fort,  wherein  they  were,  for  a  short  time, 
exposed  to  the  thickest  of  the  enemy's  fire.  When 
he  had  accomplished  his  enterprise,  and  the  heat 
of  the  action  was  over,  he  found  that  a  musket 
ball  had  lodged  in  his  Bible,  which  was  in  his 
pocket,  upon  such  a  part  of  his  body,  that  it  must 
necessarily  have  proved  mortal  to  him,  had  it  not 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  233 

been  for  this  seasonable  and  well-placed  piece  of 
armor.  Upon  a  nearer  observation,  he  found  the 
ball  had  made  its  way  so  far  in  his  Bible,  as  to  rest 
directly  upon  that  part  of  the  first  unbroken  leaf, 
where  the  words  of  my  text  are  found.  It  was 
Ecclesiastes,  xi.  9  : — "  Rejoice,  0  young  man,  in  thy 
youth ;  and  let  thy  heart  cheer  thee  in  the  days  of 
thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  thine  heart,  and 
in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes ;  but  know  thou,  that  for 
all  these  things,  God  will  bring  thee  into  judgment." 
As  the  surprising  deliverance,  you  may  apprehend, 
much  affected  him,  so  a  passage,  which  his  con- 
science told  him  was  very  apposite  to  his  case,  and 
which  Providence  in  so  remarkable  a  way  pointed 
to  his  observation,  made  the  deepest  and  best  im- 
pression on  his  mind ;  and,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
he  from  that  time  attended  to  religion  in  earnest, 
and  continued  in  the  practice  of  it  to  a  good  old 
age ;  frequently  making  the  remark  with  pleasure, 
that  his  Bible  had  been  the  salvation  both  of  his 
body  and  his  soul. 


THE  BIBLE  IN  THE  WAY. 

AN  individual  in  the  interior  of  this  state,  says 
the  Charleston  Observer,  gives  the  following  account 
of  the  manner  in  which  he  was  first  arrested  by 
the  power  of  divine  truth  : — 

He  had  been  one  of  those  who  had  paid  no  re- 

20* 


234  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

gard  to  the  subject  of  religion.  "God  was  not  in 
all  his  thoughts,"  though  his  awful  name  was  fre- 
quently upon  his  lips  in  oaths  and  blasphemies. 
One  morning,  as  he  arose,  his  eyes  fell  upon  the 
Bible  which  lay  upon  a  shelf  immediately  over  his 
washstand,  and  it  seemed  to  him  a  silent  reprover 
of  his  ways.  It  had  long  occupied  its  present  posi- 
tion, without  exciting  the  slightest  notice.  He  took 
it  down,  brushed  the  dust  from  it,  and  put  it  back 
again.  The  next  morning,  the  first  object  that 
arrested  his  attention  was  that  very  Bible ;  and  it 
continued  there  morning  after  morning  to  reprove 
him,  till  he  became  so  much  annoyed  by  its  pre- 
sence, that  he  resolved  to  put  it  out  of  the  way. 
Taking  it  down  with  this  view,  he  opened  it,  and 
the  first  passage  upon  which  his  eye  lighted,  was 
descriptive  of  his  own  character.  He  continued  to 
read,  and  was  troubled  and  affected  by  the  accuracy 
with  which  it  delineated  his  own  heart  and  life. 
He  closed  it,  returned  it  to  its  former  position,  and 
engaged  in  the  occupations  of  the  day  with  a  heavy 
heart.  At  length,  while  he  was  reading  it  one 
morning,  supposing  himself  to  be  unobserved,  he 
turned  around  to  see  whether  his  wife,  who  had 
not  yet  risen,  was  awake  or  asleep,  and  found  her 
bathed  in  a  flood  of  tears.  She  had  long  been 
anxious  for  his  salvation,  and  she  was  much  affected 
at  seeing  him  morning  after  morning  stealing  a 
glance  at  the  word  of  life.  When  he  saw  he  was 
discovered,  he  remarked,  "  It  is  of  no  use  to 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  235 

• 

conceal  it  any  longer.  I  am  a  poor  miserable  sin- 
ner, and  I  find  there  is  no  redemption  but  in  Christ 
Jesus.  Will  you  pray  for  me  ?  and  will  you  go  to 
the  house  of  God  ?  for,  from  this  time  forth,  I  am 
resolved  to  prepare  for  heaven."  And  from  that 
time  forth  he  did  become  an  altered  man — a  happy, 
consistent,  humble,  and  devoted  Christian.  Thus, 
the  Bible,  casually  placed  in  the  way  of  a  wicked 
man,  proved  instrumental,  through  the  Spirit,  in 
bringing  him  to  Christ,  and  in  hiding  a  multitude 
of  sins. 


SECTION    III. 

Cmitei0n$  effect^  bjj  Ulcntal  finprrssions, 


THE  CONVERSION  OF  JOSEPH  W . 

IN  the  year  18 —  the  Rev.  E.  J.  W was 

converted  to  God.  He  was  the  first  of  his  family 
to  become  a  Methodist,  and  met  with  much  opposi- 
tion, particularly  from  his  brother,  J.  W. '  This 
brother  continued  his  persecutions,  with  little  or 
no  intermission,  for  several  months.  It  happened 
on  a  certain  occasion,  they  were  both  invited  to 
spend  an  evening  with  Mr.  Powel  Clayton,  a  reli- 
gious neighbor.  At  the  close  of  the  evening,  E.  J. 
W.  was  requested  to  read  the  Scriptures  and  pray 
with  the  company.  He  opened  the  Bible,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  read  the  fifty-fifth  Psalm.  As  he  read 
the  12th,  13th,  and  14th  verses — "For  it  was  not 
an  enemy  that  reproached  me ;  then  I  could  have 
borne  it :  neither  was  it  he  that  hated  me  that  did 
magnify  himself  against  me;  then  I  would  have 

(23G) 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  237 

t 

hid  myself  from  him :  But  it  was  thou,  a  man 
mine  equal,  my  guide,  and  mine  acquaintance. 
We  took  sweet  counsel  together,  and  walked  unto 
the  house  of  God  in  company."  The  countenance 
of  his  brother  was  seen  to  fall,  and  he  became  very 
grave.  The  brothers  left  and  went  home  in  silence ; 
when  they  had  retired  to  their  room,  J.  W.  asked, 
"  Why  did  you  select  that  chapter  to  read  this 
evening  ?"  "  I  made  no  selection,"  replied  his  bro- 
ther, "  I  opened  the  book  and  read  that  psalm  with- 
out any  design ;  if  there  was  any  selection  the  Lord 
made  -it."  From  this  time  the  convictions  of  his 
sinfulness  never  left  him  until  his  conversion. 

Some  weeks  after  the  above  incident,  he  came 
down  to  breakfast  one  morning,  and  related  at  the 
table,  in  a  humorsome  way,  that  he  had  dreamed  in 
the  night,  he  was  in  company,  and  finding  it  neces- 
sary to  button  his  coat  he  attempted  to  do  so,  but 
found  unexpectedly  that  it  was  too  small,  and  after 
an  ineffectual  effort  he  gave  it  up,  greatly  perplexed 
and  distressed.  "  That,"  said  a  pious  friend  sitting 
at  the  table,  is  your  coat  of  morality,  and  at  the 
judgment,  you  will  find  it  too  small  for  you."  This 
was  a  "  nail  in  a  sure  place."  So  powerful  was  the 
impression  made  on  his  mind,  that  he  went  at  once 
to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  ceased  not  to  struggle 
until  he  found  peace  in  Christ. 


238  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


AN  INCIDENT. 

IT  was  during  mid-winter  of  '36,  a  pasper-by  of 

the  "Sailor's  Home,"  so  called,  in  H ,  might 

one  evening  have  heard  sounds  of  boisterous  merri- 
ment proceeding  from  the  crowded  bar-room,  while 
occasionally  a  stunning  oath  fell  upon  the  ear.  The 
room  was  filled  with  a  motley  crowd,  such  as  usually 
were  to  be  found  there — sailors,  boatmen,  and  rafts- 
men, and  all  apparently  in  high  uproarious  mirth. 

On  one  side  of  the  room  was  a  cheerful  fire, 
around  which  sat  a  number  of  dozing  topers,  while 
on  the  opposite  was  the  bar,  with  the  usual  array 
of  well-filled  decanters  dimly  seen  through  the 
murky  cloud  of  smoke.  In  the  centre  of  the  crowd, 
and  the  object  of  their  undivided  attention,  stood  a 
man  in  appearance  about  fifty  years  of  age.  In 
former  years  he  had  been  distinguished  in  political 
life,  and  was  known  as  a  man  of  fine  talents  and 
acquirements.  During  his  early  life  he  had  become 
a  member  of  the  Methodist  persuasion,  and  was 
still  remembered  as  a  prominent  and  favorite  class- 
leader.  His  hair  was  gray,  tangled  and  matted,  and 
fell  in  spare  locks  upon  his  shoulders.  His  eye  was 
dim  and  bloodshot;  his  face  bloated  and  unshaven, 
and  his  whole  appearance  gave  evidence  of  his 
wretched  and  miserable  condition.  A  silly  smile 
was  playing  over  his  haggard  features,  as  he  listened 
to  the  rude  and  profane  commendations  of  the 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  23'J 

wretches  around  him,  for  he  had  just  finished  a 
song. 

"  Give  us  another,  Jim,"  said  one. 

"  Give  us  one  more,"  roared  the  crowd. 

"  Well,  what  shall  it  be,  gentlemen  ?"  said  he. 

"  Methodist,"  said  the  first  speaker,  and  a  peal 
of  laughter  followed. 

"  Give  us  a  regular  Methodist,  old  fellow." 

For  a  moment  he  hesitated,  and  then  with  a 
voice  shattered,  but  still  noble,  he  commenced  a 
beautiful  Methodist  hymn.  As  he  proceeded,  it 
seemed  to  come  home  to  his  heart.  For  a  time  his 
voice  faltered,  and  his  face  seemed  as  if  a  shadow 
had  fallen  upon  it.  Were  the  turbid  fountains  of 
the  heart  being  troubled  by  an  angel  ?  or  had  that 
simple  melody  brought  back  a  tide  of  recollections 
of  old  times — bright,  hopeful,  happy  days  long 
since  passed,  and  which  had  long  assumed  the 
dream?  Perchance  voices  from  the  spirit  land, 
which  had  in  the  dreamy  past  mingled  their  earthly 
song  with  his,  and  who  in  the  dew  of  his  youth  had 
passed  away  radiant  with  hope  from  his  tearful 
gaze ;  perchance,  as  it  were,  a  soft,  thrilling,  and 
ever-lingering  echo  had  stolen  upon  his  degraded 
heart  to  find  there  its  fellow.  He  ended,  and  the 
rude  and  noisy  crew  loudly  applauded,  mingling 
many  an  oath  in  their  commendations;  but  his 
face  had  lost  its  smile.  Then  one  called  upon  him 
for  a  prayer  to  end  with,  as  he  expressed  himself, 
and  they  all  gathered  still  closer  around  him. 


240  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

"  No,  no,  I  can't  pray — I  can't  pray  now,"  ex- 
claimed the  poor  wretch,  and  he  seemed  to  be 
troubled.  But  they  would  have  no  refusal — he 
must  give  them  a  prayer.  Prayer !  He  used  to 
pray  much  once,  for  then  it  was  dear  to  him,  and 
it  seemed  to  make  life  brighter,  and  joy  and  happi- 
ness nestled  always  in  his  heart.  But  that  was  a 
long  time  ago,  and  many  a  weary  day  and  even  year 
-has  passed  since  then.  Sometimes,  to  be  sure,  in 
his  utter  and  degraded  misery,  as  memory  reflected 
a  gleam  of  momentary  light  from  the  past ;  startled 
in  the  instant,  perhaps,  with  hand  hard  pressed  on 
an  aching,  burning  brow,  he  would  cry  out,  "  Oh, 
God !"  but  it  was  of  bitter,  despairing  misery,  and 
not  hope ;  and  then,  unable  to  endure  such  terrible 
remorseful  thoughts,  he  would  hasten  away  and 
plunge  into  mad  intoxication,  till. all  reflection  was 
gone.  It  was  not  always  thus.  At  times  better 
and  kindlier  thoughts  came  to  him,  and  though  he 
was  fallen  and  very  low,  still  he  would  certainly 
try  to  reform  and  be  a  better  man ;  and  so,  as  it 
were,  "smiting  on  his  breast,"  and  scarce  daring 
to  lift  up  his  eyes,  he  would  rise  and  go  softly  on, 
till  a  step  failed  him,  or  overpowering  temptation 
within  and  without  seized  him  and  flung  him  back 
again,  as  it  were,  in  derision.  But  now  as  he  stood 
there,  kind  thoughts  and  even  tender,  called  up  by 
that  song,  had  touched  his  desolate  heart  and  the 
feelings  of  hope  seemed  returning  once  more  to  him 
— perhaps  Go-. I  would  hear  his  prayer.  So  slowly 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  241 

lifting  his  old  hat  from  his  head,  he  said,  "Let  us 
pray."  The  peal  of  laughter  was  upon  the  lips  of 
those  around,  but  the  unaffected  solemnity  of  his 
manner  awed  and  suppressed  their  noisy  mirth,  and 
they  gazed  upon  him  in  perfect  silence. 

"  Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be 
thy  name."  His  voice  was  broken  with  emotion ; 
but  as  he  proceeded  it  became  clearer.  The  spirit 
of  other  days  had  seemingly  returned  upon  him, 
and  he  prayed  as  of  old,  moving  as  with  the  Spirit 
of  God  the  hearts  of  all  who  heard  him.  He  prayed 
with  agonized  earnestness  for  pardon,  for  reconcilia- 
tion with  the  Saviour  for  all  men,  for  strength  in 
the  hour  and  moment  of  temptation,  and  light 
through  all  of  future  life  to  guide  and  direct  in 
every  devious  path,  and  that  at  last  they  might 
attain  to  eternal  life  through  the  crucified  Re- 
deemer. 

lie  ceased  ;  but  a  spell  had  fallen  upon  that  brow, 
and  not  a  word  was  heard.  He  took  up  his  old  hat, 
and,  turning  away,  left  the  house.  From  that  hour 
he  became  an  altered  man ;  and  the  earnest,  self- 
denying  Christian  labors  of  many  subsequent  years, 
though  in  humble  sphere,  were  not,  we  trust,  in 
vain.  HENDER. 


A  REMARKABLE  ANSWER  TO  PRAYER. 

DURING  a  powerful  revival  of  religion  that  took 
place  many  years  .ago,  in  Salem  county,  N.  J.,  there 

1C 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


was  a  young  woman  who  was  induced  by  her  friends 
to  attend  the  meeting,  and  becoming  deeply  affected, 
was  persuaded  to  approach  the  altar,  where,  after 
much  seeking,  with  bitter  repentance,  she  was  hap- 
pily converted  to  God.  This  person  became  very 
exemplary  in  her  deportment,  and  wherever  she 
went,  had  something  to  say  in  favor  of  the  blessed 
treasure  she  had  so  recently  found,  having  been 
faithful  for  a  number  of  years.  She  married  a 
deeply  pious  man,  with  whom  she  lived  happily. 
In  a  few  years  he  died,  and  she,  being  left  a  widow, 
and  poor,  had  to  struggle  hard  for  the  support  of 
herself  and  children;  but  at  this  time,  when  the 
consolations  of  religion  were  the  most  needed,  she 
gave  way  to  a  murmuring  and  repining  spirit,  fell 
from  grace,  and  became  very  wicked  and  unhappy. 
She  remained  in  this  state  many  long  years.  Effort 
after  effort  was  made  to  reclaim  her,  but  all  appa- 
rently in  vain.  One  of  her  sons  at  this  time  em- 
braced religion,  and  consequently  became  deeply 
solicitous  for  his  mother's  salvation.  He  prayed 
and  wept,  and  with  many  entreaties  urged  her  to 
return  to  the  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls.  To 
all  this  her  answer  was,  "  You  need  not  grieve  for 
me,  my  son,  for  my  day  of  grace  is  gone — the  Spi- 
rit has  not  striven  with  me  for  over  twenty  years ; 
my  damnation  is  sure."  At  this  time  her  health, 
which  had  been  very  good,  began  to  decline ;  day 
by  day  she  became  weaker  and  weaker,  until  it  was 
apparent  to  all  that  the  fell  destroyer  had  marked 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  243 

her  for  his  prey.  The  despair  that  filled  her  heart, 
with  the  afflictions  of  her  body,  soon  wore  her  down 
to  almost  nothing.  Brethren  came  from  all  direc- 
tions (by  the  importunity  of  her  son),  to  pray  for 
her,  and  point  her  to  Christ,  the  friend  of  sinners ; 
but  in  vain.  To  all  their  solicitations  and  entrea- 
ties her  answer  was,  "  Leave  me  alone.  I  am 
justly  lost.  You  can  do  me  no  good.  The  few 
moments  I  have  on  earth  let  me  spend  them  in 
peace.  Your  prayers  only  torment  me."  Her 
deeply  affected  boy  now  resolved  to  set  aside  a  day 
to  fast  and  pray  for  the  salvation  of  his  mother; 
he  therefore  repaired  to  a  lonely  wood,  and  with 
none  to  see  his  grief  or  tears  but  God,  he  fell  on 
his  knees,  and  with  many  entreaties  besought  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  have  mercy  upon  her  soul. 
After  this  continuing  all  day,  toward  evening,  with 
his  face  bathed  in  tears,  he  fell  to  the  earth  strug- 
gling and  crying,  "  I  will  not  let  thee  go  until  thou 
answer  me."  A  heavenly  calm  filled  his  breast, 
joy  sprang  up  in  his  heart,  and  evidence  clear  and 
strong  was  given,  Thy  prayer  is  answered — go  in 
peace. 

It  was  Saturday  morning ;  I  was  at  work  on  my 
farm,  some  fifty  miles  from  the  scene  I  am  attempt- 
ing to  describe  (knowing  nothing  of  this  woman), 
when  I  felt  a  powerful  impression  on  my  mind  to 
harness  my  horse  to  the  carriage,  and  immediately 
drive  to  Brother  P.'s,  whom  I  had  not  seen  for 
several  years,  and  who  resided  thirty-five  miles  from 


244  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

my  house.  I  tried  to  put  it  off,  but  my  peace  of 
mind  was  gone,  and,  to  get  relief,  I  started.  I 
arrived  in  the  evening,  stayed  over  the  Sabbath, 
and  preached  twice,  intending  to  return  home  next 
morning ;  but,  being  awakened  several  hours  before 
day,  the  impression  was  renewed  to  go  fifteen  miles 
further  to  see  Brother  T.,  also,  whom  I  had  not  seen 
for  several  years.  I  arose  at  daybreak,  and  found 
it  raining.  Resolving  to  go  home,  I  started,  but  0 
the  horror  of  mind  that  seized  me  !  To  get  relief 
I  turned  my  horse  and  drove  for  the  brother's.  He 
was  not  at  home  when  I  arrived,  but  soon  came, 
and  with  joy  welcomed  me.  I  related  to  him  the 
circumstances  of  my  coming,  and  said,  "  Brother  T., 
in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  is  there  anything  for  me 
to  do  here  ?"  He  solemnly  paused,  then  related  to 
me  the  case  of  this  woman,  who  lived  only  a  few 
rods  off,  telling  me  she  was  only  alive  apparently, 
and  dying  in  sin.  Now  faith  sprung  up,  and,  with 
strong  confidence,  I  went  to  see  her.  On  entering 
the  room,  I  approached  the  bedside,  and  beheld  a 
pale  and  emaciated  form  propped  up,  coughing 
almost  incessantly,  with  her  son  weeping  sadl}-  at 
the  foot  of  the  bed.  She  related  to  me  her  dolefi.il 
condition,  begging  me  not  to  pray,  or  mention  the 
name  of  Christ,  as  it  filled  her  with  indescribable 
torment.  Lifting  my  heart  to  God,  I  sat  several 
minutes  in  silence,  only  broken  by  the  sobs  of  her 
affectionate  son,  when  I  felt  it  required  of  me  to 
reason  with  her  on  the  sin  raid  folly  of  grieving  the 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  245 

» 

Holy  Spirit  by  despairing  of  that  mercy  that  was 
ready  to  receive  her ;  and  surely  the  Holy  Ghost 
helped  me,  for,  fixing  her  dying  eyes  upon  me,  she 
appeared  to  drink  in  every  word,  her  son  and  the 
brother  who  went  with  me  looking  on  with  great 
interest.  We  fell  on  our  knees,  and,  after  Brother 
T.  had  prayed,  I  was  drawn  out  with  as  much 
power  as  I  ever  experienced  in  prayer,  to  urge  her 
case  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Tears  of  sympathy 
fell  from  my  eyes,  and,  laying  hold  on  God,  I  re- 
solved neyer  to  leave  the  house  until  salvation 
appeared.  While  thus  pleading,  she  sprang  up  in 
bed  and  cried  for  mercy,  in  language  the  most 
affecting  I  ever  heard,  while  tears  of  penitence 
rolled  down  her  cheeks.  Being  thus  encouraged, 
we  continued  pouring  out  our  souls  unto  Him  who 
had  promised  to  hear  us,  when,  in  a  moment,  while 
I  had  my  eye  fixed  upon  her,  I  saw  her  countenance 
change ;  heaven  beamed  in  her  eye,  joy  sprang  up 
in  her  heart,  and  Glory,  glory,  and  loud  hallelujahs 
pealed  from  her  tongue  ;  while  her  son,  who  had  so 
long  looked  for  her  redemption,  fell  on  the  floor, 
and,  with  rapturous  songs,  blessed  the  God  of  Israel 
his  Saviour.  She  lived  in  this  heavenly  frame  of 
mind  three  weeks,  and  died  shouting  Glory,  glory, 
victory,  victory ! 


21* 


246  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


COLLINS  DIRECTED  TO  A  FUNERAL. 

WHEN  the  country  was  new  and  thinly  settled, 
Mr.  Collins  was  riding  upon  the  banks  of  the  Ohio 
river,  some  thirty  or  forty  miles  above  Cincinnati, 
in  company  with  a  friend,  when  they  came  to  the 
forks  of  the  road;  the  left-hand  road  led  more 
directly  to  their  place  of  destination,  the  right  was 
more  circuitous ;  but  Mr.  Collins,  against  remon- 
strance, preferred  the  latter,  from  an  impression 
which  he  did  not  particularly  define.  It  led  to  the 
mouth  of  Red  Oak,  where  the  town  of  Ripley  is 
now  situated. 

As  they  approached  this  point  they  saw  a  funeral 
procession,  which  they  immediately  joined,  and  fol- 
lowed it  to  the  grave.  It  was  the  first  funeral  in 
that  place.  The  corpse  was  the  wife  of  Mr.  Benard 
Jackson,  an  avowed  infidel.  After  the  grave  was 
covered,  Mr.  Collins  made  known  to  the  people  that 
he  was  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  and  would  then 
preach  a  sermon  to  all  who  remained.  No  one 
went  away.  He  read  for  his  text,  "I  am  the 
resurrection  and  the  life :  he  that  believeth  in  me, 
though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live;"  and 
preached  with  overwhelming  power. 

The  solemnity  of  the  occasion,  and  the  circum- 
stances which  brought  him  to  the  place,  added,  no 
doubt,  to  the  effect  of  the  discourse.  No  one  could 
apply  circumstances  more  forcibly  than  Mr.  Collins. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  247 

There  were  many  tears  and  sobs  in  the  congrega- 
tion. The  infidel  husband  was  overwhelmed ;  and 
from  that  day  and  hour  he  renounced  infidelity, 
shortly  after  became  a  member  of  the  church,  lived 
to  adorn  the  Christian  religion,  and  died  in  peace. 
He  had  one  son,  who  is  now  a  travelling  preacher 
in  the  state  of  Indiana. 

Mr.  Collins  believed  in  a  special  Providence.  The 
inclination  to  take  the  right-hand  road,  he  believed 
was  prompted  by  it,  of  which  he  could  entertain 
no  doubt,  when  he  saw  the  funeral  procession,  and 
preached  to  the  mourning  crowd.  And  is  this  too 
small  a  matter  for  Deity?  Peter  was  called  to 
preach  to  Cornelius ;  and  his  objections  were  over- 
come in  an  extraordinary  manner.  Philip,  being 
prompted  by  the  Spirit,  joined  himself  to  the 
chariot  of  the  eunuch,  and  "preached  to  him 
Jesus."  And  who,  that  believes  the  Bible,  does 
not  believe  that  the  same  spirit  operates,  more  or 
less,  upon  Christians  of  the  present  day?  The 
mode  of  its  action  may  not  seem  to  .be  miraculous ; 
but  it  is  spiritually  discerned.  It  is  a  Divine  agency 
— that  spirit,  or  light,  a  portion  of  which  is  given 
to  every  man.  It  leads  to  good  actions  and  happy 
results. — Life  of  Collins. 


248  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


REAPPEARANCE  OF  THE  DEAD. 

AT  the  conference  of  Wesleyan  ministers  held  in 
Sheffield  in  the  year  1817,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Savage, 
one  of  the  young  preachers  who  was  received  into 
full  connection,  gave  the  following  account  of  the 
appearance  of  the  departed  spirit  of  his  brother-in- 
law.  After  a  very  appropriate  introduction,  in  which 
the  reverend  gentleman  asserted  that  the  "  solemn 
fact"  which  he  was  about  to  relate,  "was  the  first 
grand  means  of  leading  his  mind  to  think  seriously 
of  the  solemn  realities  of  death,  judgment,  and 
eternity,"  he  proceeded  as  follows  : — 

"  A  sister  being  married  to  a  gentleman  in  the 
army,  we  received  intelligence  that  the  regiment  to 
which  he  belonged  had  orders  for  one  of  the  Spanish 
Isles  in  the  Mediterranean.  One  night  about  ten 
o'clock,  sixteen  years  since,  in  the  town  of  Doncas- 
ter,  in  Yorkshire,  England,  as  his  wife,  his  child,  an 
elder  sister,  and  myself,  were  sitting  in  a  back  room — 
the  shutters  were  closed,  barred,  and  bolted,  and  the 
yard  door  locked — suddenly  a  light  shone  through 
the  window,  and  illumined  the  room  in  which  we 
were  sitting : — we  looked — started — and  beheld  the 
spirit  of  a.  murdered  brother, — his  eye  was  fixed  on 
his  v*ife  and  child  alternately, — he  waved  his  hand 
— smiled — continued  about  half  a  minute — and  then 
vanished  from  our  sight.  The  moment  before  the 
spirit  disappeared,  my  sister  cried,  ''  Hen  dead,  hes 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  249 

dead"  and  fainted  away.  Her  little  boy  ran  toward 
the  apparition,  and  wept  because  it  would  not  .stay. 
A  short  time  after  this,  we  received  a  letter  from  the 
colonel  of  the  regiment,  sealed  with  a  black  seal — 
the  dark  emblem  of  death — bearing  the  doleful  but 
expected  news  that,  on  such  a  night,  answering  to 
the  same  on  which  we  saw  his  spirit,  my  brother-in- 
law  was  found  weltering  in  his  blood,  having  been 
murdered  by  the  Spaniards  when  returning  from  the 
mess-room  :  the  spark  of  life  was  not  quite  extinct 
when  he  was  found,  and  the  last  wish  which  he  was 
heard  to  breathe  was  that  he  might  see  his  wife  and 
child  once  again ;  which  was  granted  him,  in  a  cer- 
tain sense,  for  the  very  hour  he  died  in  the  island 
of  Minorca,  in  that  same  hour  his  spirit  appeared  to 
his  wife,  his  child,  an  elder  sister,  and  myself.  Before 
this  event,  though  a  boy  of  nine  years  only,  I  was  a 
complete  atheist,  having  been  taught  by  my  father 
to  disbelieve  everything  except  what  I  saw ;  but  by 
this  solemn  circumstance,  I  was  convinced  of  the 
reality  of  another  world's  existence;  and  by  the 
solemn  impression  that  it  made  upon  my  mind,  I 
was  led  to  pray  for  mercy ;  which  mercy  I  found  at 
the  foot  of 'the  cross,  and  now  feel  the  Holy  Spirit 
preparing  my  soul  to  enter  those  eternal  and  invisi- 
ble regions — the  world  of  spirits.  My  sister,  from 
the  night  that  she  saw  the  spirit  of  her  husband,  and 
before  she  received  any  intelligence  of  his  death, 
went  into  mourn  UKJ  for  him  ;  nor  could  my  father 
prevent  it  by  any  argument.  He  endeavored  to 


250  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

persuade  us  we  were  all  deluded  and  deceived,  yet 
he  acknowledged  that  the  testimony  which  the  child 
gave  staggered  Jam.;  but  when  the  letter  arrived 
from  the  colonel  of  the  regiment,  with  the  awful 
tidings  of  our  brother's  death,  he  was  struck  dumb, 
so  to  cspeak,  and  had  nothing  more  to  say.  My 
two  sisters  are  yet  living,  and  can  testify  to  the 
truth  of  this  account;  beside  which  at  least  one 
hundred  persons  can  prove  our  mentioning  the  hour 
the  spirit  appeared,  several  weeks  before  we  received 
the  melancholy  letter,  and  that  the  letter  mentioned 
the  night  and  the  hour  as  the  same  in  which  we 
beheld  his  spirit. 


A  REMARKABLE  INCIDENT  IN  THE  LIFE  OF  DR. 
BOND. 

THE  following  strange  occurrence  was  published 
in  an  obituary  notice  of  Dr.  Bond,  which  appeared 
in  the  Christian  Advocate  shortly  after  his  death  : — 

About  this  time  occurred  a  very  extraordinary 
incident  in  the  life  of  Dr.  Bond,  which  we  narrate 
with  great  doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  publi- 
cation. He  very  rarely  mentioned  it,  and  never 
ventured  to  designate  or  explain  it.  Its  truth  is, 
however,  beyond  question.  The  circumstances 
forbid  the  supposition  of  optical  illusion  or  tem- 
porary hallucination.  There  are  those  living  who 
testify  to  such  of  the  facts  as  were  subject  to  ob- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  251 

servation,  and  the  memorials  of  the  transaction  are 
yet  distinctly  preserved  in  the  religious  character 
of  sons  and  daughters  of  some  who  were  imme- 
diately affected  by  it. 

Being  on  a  visit  to  his  father,  he  was  deeply 
grieved  to  find  the  church,  which  he  had  left  in 
a  state  of  prosperous  activity,  languishing,  luke- 
warm, and  weak.  His  thoughts  were  much  occu- 
pied with  the  subject,  and,  of  course,  it  was  the 
matter  of  earnest  and  frequent  prayer.  In  this 
state  of  mind,  one  morning,  he  was  walking  over 
the  fields  to  a  neighboring  house,  when  suddenly 
he  seemed  to  be  in  a  room  where  a  number  of 
people  were  assembled,  apparently  for  worship. 
The  room  he  recognised  as  an  apartment  in  the 
house  of  a  neighbor,  where  a  prayer-meeting  was 
to  be  held  on  the  evening  of  that  day.  Had  he 
stood  in  the  midst  of  it  he  could  not  have  been 
more  conscious  of  the  scene.  There  was  nothing 
of  the  dim,  or  shadowy,  or  dreamy  about  it.  He 
recognised  the  people,  noticed  where  they  sat  and 
stood,  remarked  his  father  near  the  table,  at  which 
a  preacher  was  rising  to  give  out  a  hymn,  and 
near  the  middle  of  the  congregation  he  saw  a  man 
named  C.,  for  whose  salvation  he  felt  particular 
anxiety,  standing  \vith  his  son  beside  him.  While 
gazing  with  astonishment  upon  the  scene,  he  hoard 
the  words,  "  Go  and  tell  C.  that  he  has  an  offer  of 
salvation  for  the  last  time." 

Naturally  supposing  that  the  too  great  concen- 


252  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

tration  of  mind  upon  one  subject  had  induced  some 
hallucination  of  the  senses,  Dr.  Bond  fell  down  on 
his  knees  and  besought  God  to  preserve  his  reason. 
The  scene,  however,  continued;  it  would  not  dis- 
appear nor  change  in  any  of  its  particulars.  In 
vain  he  struggled  to  dispel  it ;  the  voice  yet  Re- 
peated with  indubitable  distinctness,  "  Go  and  tell 
C.  that  he  has  an  offer  of  salvation  for  the  last 
time."  Yet  how  would  he  dare  to  deliver  so  awful 
a  message !  For  a  great  length  of  time  he  strug- 
gled for  deliverance  from  what  he  still  considered 
an  illusion.  At  length  an  expedient  occurred  to 
him  which  he  adopted.  He  had  never  been  in  the 
room  in  which  he  was  apparently  present,  when  it 
was  used  for  a  public  religious  meeting.  He,  of 
course,  did  not  know  how  it  was  commonly  pre- 
pared for  such  occasions.  He  therefore  noted  with 
great  care  the  particulars  of  the  scene.  He  saw 
where  the  little  table  for  the  preacher,  the  benches 
and  chairs  for  the  people,  were  placed.  He  noticed 
his  acquaintances,  and  where  they  sat  and  stood, 
and  when  he  was  satisfied  that  he  had  possessed 
himself  perfectly  of  these  details,  he  said,  "  I  will 
go  to  this  meeting,  and  if  I  see  things  there  to  cor- 
respond with  what  I  now  see,  it  shall  be  as  a  sign 
from  the  Lord,  and  I  will  deliver  the  message." 
Immediately  the  scene  vanished,  and  he  was  alone 
in  the  green  fields. 

With  a  spirit  indescribably  agitated  he  returned 
home,  where  he  found  ladies  who  required  him  to 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  253 

escort  them  a  long  distance,  and  it  was  some- 
what past  the  hour  fixed  for  the  meeting  when  he 
reached  the  awful  place.  During  the  day  he  had 
freely  indulged  the  hope  that  on  his  entrance  into 
the  room  his  trouble  Avould  disappear,  lie  thought 
he»had  been  the  subject  of  an  illusion,  the  fruit  of 
an  excited  brain,  and  that  a  want  of  correspond- 
ence, immediately  to  be  detected  between  the  real 
scene  and  the  one  presented  to  his  disordered 
fancy,  would  at  once  satisfy  him  as  to  the  morbid 
character  of  his  morning  vision,  and  release  him 
from  the  obligation  of  delivering  the  terrible  mes- 
sag<;  with  which  he  was  conditionally  charged. 
When  he  opened  the  door,  however,  he  saw  again, 
in  all  its  minuteness  of  detail,  the  morning  scene. 
In  vain  he  searched  the  room  for  a  variant  particu- 
lar. There  sat  his  father  in  the  designated  place. 
The  preacher  at  the  table  was  rising  to  give  out 
the  hymn.  In  the  midst  of  the  room  stood  C., 
with  his  son  beside  him.  Everything  demanded 
that  the  message  should  be  delivered. 

After  the  preliminary  exercises,  he  rose  and 
stated  the  circumstances  as  we  have  related  them, 
and  then  going  to  C.,  he  laid  his  hand  upon  him, 
and  repeated  the  words  he  had  heard.  The  effect 
was  indescribable.  C.  and  his  son  fell  down  to- 
gether and  called  upon  God.  An  awful  solemnity 
rested  upon  all  present.  Many  cried  for  mercy, 
and  from  that  time  began  a  revival  of  religion 
22 


254  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

which  spread  far  and  wide ;  the  fruits  of  which  are 
yet  seen,  after  many  days. 

In  the  midst  of  this  extraordinary  scene,  the 
father  of  Dr.  Bond,  who  was  too  deaf  to  hear  his 
words,  sat  an  anxious  observer.  He  was  a  calm 
man,  whose  Quaker  education  had  not  lost  its  in- 
fluence over  his  religious  character  and  views. 
After  the  meeting  he  asked  Thomas  what  he  had 
said  to  produce  such  an  effect.  He  frankly  told  him 
all.  The  old  man  mused  a  while  and  said,  "  You 
did  right." 

About  this  incident  there  will  be  different  opi- 
nions. We  shall  not  express  any.  The  principal 
actor  preferred  to  express  none.  We  only  state 
the  facts  as  related  by  himself,  and  confirmed, 
without  inquiry,  since  his  death,  by  one  who  was 
present  at  the  extraordinary  meeting.  We  think, 
however,  with  his  father,  that  he  "  did  right."  To 
have  done  otherwise  would  at  least  have  been 
unreasonable,  perhaps  impious.  Philosophy  must 
leave  room  for  God  in  his  own  world.  Incredu- 
lity and  superstition  are  equally  dishonorable  to 
the  understanding.  In  all  cases  right  reason  de- 
termines by  evidence. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  255 


A   SINGULAR  PROVIDENCE. 

A  CURIOUS  AND  AFFECTING  NARRATIVE. 

SIR  RICHARD  CRADOCK,  a  justice  of  the  peace,  who 
was  a  violent  hater  and  persecutor  of  the  Dissenters, 
and  who  exerted  himself  to  enforce  all  the  severe 
laws  then  in  existence  against  them,  happened  to 
live  near  Mr.  Rogers,  to  whom  he  bore  a  particular 
enmity,  and  whom  he  wanted  above  all  things  to 
have  in  his  power.  Hearing  that  he  was  to  preach 
at  a  place  some  miles  distant,  he  thought  it  a  fair 
opportunity  for  accomplishing  his  base  design,  and 
in  order  thereto  hired  two  men  to  go  as  spies,  and 
take  down  the  names  of  all  the  hearers  whom  they 
knew,  that  they  might  appear  as  witnesses  both 
against  them  and  Mr.  Rogers.  The  plan  seemed  to 
succeed  to  his  wishes.  These  men  brought  him  the 
names  of  several  persons  who  were  present  at  the 
meeting,  and  he  warned  such  of  them  as  he  had  a 
particular  spite  against,  together  with  Mr.  Rogers, 
to  appear  before  him.  Knowing  the  violence  of  the 
man,  they  came  with  trembling  hearts,  expecting  to 
be  treated  with  the  utmost  severity.  While  they 
were  waiting  in  the  great  hall,  expecting  to  be 
called  upon,  a  little  girl,  about  six  or  seven  years 
of  age,  who  was  Sir  Richard's  granddaughter,  hap- 
pened to  come  into  the  hall.  She  looked  at  Mr. 
Rogers,  and  was  much  taken  with  his  venerable 


256  REMAU.KABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

appearance.  He  being  naturally  fond  of  children, 
took  her  upon  his  knee  and  caressed  her,  which 
occasioned  her  to  conceive  a  great  fondness  for  him. 
At  length  Sir  Richard  sent  a  servant  to  inform  him 
and  the  rest  that  one  of  the  witnesses  being  taken 
ill,  was  unable  to  attend,  and  that  therefore  they 
must  come  again  another  day. 

They  accordingly  came  at  the  time  appointed, 
and  being  convicted,  the  justice  ordered  their  mitti- 
mus to  be  written  to  send  them  all  to  prison.  Mr. 
Rogers,  expecting  to  see  the  little  girl  again,  brought 
some  sweetmeats  with  him  to  give  her.  As  soon 
as  she  saw  him  she  came  running  to  him,  and  ap- 
peared fonder  of  him  than  before.  This  child  being 
a  great  favorite  with  her  grandfather,  had  got  such 
an  ascendency  over  him  that  he  could  deny  her 
nothing,  and  she  possessed  such  a  violent  spirit  that 
she  could  bear  no  contradiction,  so  that  she  was 
indulged  in  everything  she  wanted.  At  one  time, 
when  she  had  been  contradicted,  she  ran  a  pen- 
knife into  her  arm,  to  the  great  danger  of  her  life. 
This  bad  spirit,  in  the  present  instance,  was  over- 
ruled for  good.  While  she  was  sitting  on  Mr. 
Rogers's  knee,  eating  the  sweetmeats,  she  looked 
earnestly  at  him,  and  asked,  "  What  are  you  here 
for,  sir  ?"  He  said,  "  I  believe  your  grandfather  is 
going  to  send  me  and  my  friends  to  jail."  "  To 
jail!"  said  she.  "Why,  what  have  you  done?" 
"  Why,  I  did  nothing  but  preach,  and  they  did 
nothing  but  hear  me."  "  He  shall  not  send  you  to 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  257 

jail !"  replied  she.  "  Ay,  but  my  dear,"  said  he, 
"  I  believe  he  is  now  making  out  our  mittimus  to 
soul  us  all  there."  Upon  this,  she  ran  up  to  the 
chamber  where  Sir  Richard  was,  and  knocked  with 
her  head  and  heels  till  she  got  in,  and  said  to  him, 
"  What  are  you  going  to  do  with  my  good  old 
gentleman  in  the  hall?"  "  That's  nothing  to  you," 
said  he,  "  get  you  about  your  business."  "  But  I 
won't,"  says  she.  "  He  tells  me  that  you  are  going 
to  send  him  and  his  friends  to  jail ;  and  if  you  send 
them,  I  will  drown  myself  in  the  pond  as  soon  as 
they  are  gone.  I  will  indeed."  When  he  saw  the 
child  thus  peremptory,  it  shook  his  resolution,  and 
induced  him  to  abandon  his  malicious  design. 
Taking  the  mittimus  in  his  hand,  he  went  down 
into  the  hall,  and  thus  addressed  these  good  men: 
"  I  had  made  out  your  mittimus  to  send  you  all 
to  jail,  as  you  deserve;  but  at  my  grandchild's 
request  I  drop  the  prosecution,  and  set  you  all  at 
liberty."  They  all  bowed,  and  thanked  his  wor- 
ship ;  but  Mr.  Rogers,  going  to  the  child,  laid  his 
hand  upon  her  head,  and  lifting  up  his  eyes  to 
heaven,  exclaimed,  "God  bless  you,  my  dear  child. 
May  the  blessing  of  that  God  whose  cause  you  did 
now  plead,  though  as  yet  you  know  him  not,  be 
upon  you  in  life,  in  death,  and  to  all  eternity." 

The  above  remarkable  story  was  told  by  Mr. 

Timothy  Rogers,  the  son  of  the  ejected  minister, 

who  had  frequently  heard  his  father  relate  it  with 

great   pleasure;    and   the  celebrated    Mr.  Thomas 

17 


258  KEMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

Bradbury  once  heard  it  from  him  when  he  was 
dining  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Tooley,  an  eminent 
Christian  lady  in  London,  who  was  distinguished 
for  her  religion  and  for  her  love  to  Christ  and  his 
people,  whose  house  and  table,  like  Lydia's,  were 
always  open  to  them.  What  followed  is  yet  more 
remarkable,  as  containing  a  striking  proof  of  Mr. 
Rogers's  prayers  for  this  child,  and  the  blessing 
which  descended  upon  her  who  had  been  such  an 
instrument  in  the  deliverance  of  the  persecuted 
servants  of  God.  Mrs.  Tooley  had  listened  with 
uncommon  attention  to  Mr.  Rogers's  story,  and 
when  he  had  ended  it,  she  asked  him,  "  And  are 
you  that  Mr.  Rogers's  son?"  He  told  her  he  was 
— upon  which  she  said,  "  Well,  as  long  as  I  have 
been  acquainted  with  you,  I  never  knew  that  be- 
fore ;  and  now  I  will  tell  you  something  that  you 
do  not  know:  lam  the  very  girl  your  dear  father 
blessed  in  the  manner  that  you  have  related,  and 
it  made  an  impression  upon  me  that  I  never  could 
forget." 

Upon  this  double  discovery,  Mr.  Rogers  and  Mrs. 
Tooley  found  an  additional  tie  of  mutual  love  and 
affection ;  and  then  he  and  Mr.  Bradbury  expressed 
a  desire  to  know  how  she,  who  had  been  brought 
up  in  an  aversion  to  dissenters,  and  to  serious  reli- 
gion, now  discovered  such  an  attachment  to  both ; 
upon  which  she  cheerfully  gave  them  the  following 
narrative : — 

After  her  grandfather's  death,  she  became  sole 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  259 

heiress  to  his  estate,  which  was  considerable. 
Being  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  and  having  none  to 
control  her,  she  ran  into  all  the  fashionable  diver- 
sions of  the  age,  without  any  restraint;  but  she 
confessed,  when  the  pleasurable  scenes  were  over, 
she  felt  a  dissatisfaction  both  with  them  and  her- 
self, that  always  struck  a  damp  to  her  heart,  which 
she  did  not  know  how  to  get  lid  of  any  other  way 
than  by  running  over  the  same  round  again  and 
again.  But  all  was  in  vain.  Having  contracted 
some  slight  illness,  she  thought  she  would  go  to 
Bath,  hearing  that  it  was  a  place  for  pleasure  as 
well  as  health.  When  she  came  thither  she  was 
providentially  led  to  consult  an  apothecary,  who 
was  a  very  worthy  and  religious  man.  When  he 
inquired  what  ailed  her,  she  answered,  "  Why,  doc- 
tor, I  don't  ail  much  as  to  my  body ;  but  I  have  an 
uneasy  mind  that  I  cannot  get  rid  of."  "Truly, 
Miss,"  said  he,  "  I  was  so  too,  till  I  met  with  a  cer- 
tain book,  and  that  cured  me."  "  Books  !"  said  she ; 
"  I  get  all  the  books  I  can  lay  my  hands  on — all 
the  plays,  novels,  and  romances  I  hear  of;  but 
after  I  have  read  them,  my  uneasiness  is  the  same." 
"  That  may  be,  Miss,"  said  he,  "  and  I  don't  won- 
der at  it.  But  as  to  this  book  I  speak  of,  I  can  say 
of  it  what  I  can  say  of  no  other  I  ever  read,  that 
I  never  tire  in  reading  it,  but  can  read  it  again  and 
again,  as  if  I  had  never  read  it  before ;  and  I  always 
see  something  new  in  it."  "  Pray,  doctor,"  says 
she,  "  what  book  is  that?"  "  Nay,  Miss,"  answered 


2GO  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

he,  "  that  is  «i  secret  I  don't  tell  every  one."  "  But 
could  not  I  get  a  sight  of  that  book  ?"  says  she. 
"  Yes,"  replied  he,  "  if  you  speak  me  fair,  I  can 
help  you  to  a  sight  of  it."  "  Pray,  then,  get  it  me, 
doctor,  and  I'll  give  you  anything  you  please." 
"Yes,"  said  he,  "if  you  will  promise  me  one  thing, 
I'll  bring  it  you,  and  that  is,  that  you  will  read  it 
over  carefully ;  and  if  you  should  not  see  much  in  it 
at  first,  that  you  will  give  it  a  second  reading."  She 
promised  faithfully  that  she  would.  After  coming 
two  or  three  times  without  it,  to  raise  her  curiosity, 
he  at  last  took  it  out  of  his  pocket  and  gave  it  her. 
This  book  was  the  New  Testament.  When  she 
looked  at  it,  she  said,  with  a  flirt,  "  Poll !  I  could 
get  it  at  any  time.''  "Why,  Miss,"  said  he,  "so 
you  might;  but,  remember,  I  have  your  solemn 
promise  to  read  it  carefully."  "  Well,"  said  she, 
"  though  I  never  read  it  before,  I'll  give  it  a  read- 
ing." Accordingly  she  began  to  read  it,  and  it  soon 
attracted  her  attention.  She  saw  something  in  it, 
wherein  she  had  a  deep  concern,  but  her  mind  now 
became  ten  times  more  uneasy  than  ever.  Not 
knowing  what  to  do,  she  soon  returned  to  London, 
resolved  to  try  again  what  the  diversions  there 
would  do  to  dissipate  her  gloom ;  but  nothing  of 
this  kind  answered  her  purpose.  She  lodged  at 
the  court  end  of  the  town,  where  she  had  with 
her  a  female  companion.  On  Saturday  evening 
she  had  a  remarkable  dream,  w^hich  was,  that  she 
was  in  a  place  of  worship,  vv'here  she  heard  a  ser- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  261 

mon ;  but  when  she  awoke,  she  could  remember 
nothing  but  the  text.  This  dream  made  a  deep  im- 
pression upon  her  mind,  and  the  idea  she  had  of 
the  place,  and  of  the  minister's  person,  was  as 
strong  as  if  she  had  been  long  acquainted  with 
both.  On  the  Lord's  day  morning  she  told  her 
dream  to  her  companion,  and  said,  that  after  break- 
fast she  was  resolved  to  go  in  quest  of  the  place, 
though  she  should  go  from  one  end  of  London  to 
the  other.  They  accordingly  set  out,  and  went 
into  several  churches  as  they  passed  along,  but 
none  of  them  answered  to  what  she  saw  in  her 
dream.  About  one  o'clock  they  found  themselves 
in  the  heart  of  the  city,  where  they  dined,  and 
then  set  out  again  in  search  of  this  place  of  wor- 
ship. Being  in  the  Poultry  about  half  after  two 
o'clock,  they  saw  a  great  number  of  people  going 
down  the  Old  Jewry,  and  she  determined  to  see 
where  they  went.  She  mingled  with  the  company, 
and  they  conducted  her  to  the  meeting-house,  where 
Mr.  Shower  was  the  minister,  in  the  Old  Jewry. 
As  soon  as  she  entered  the  door,  and  surveyed  the 
place,  she  turned  to  her  companion,  and  said,  with 
some  surprise,  "  This  is  the  very  place  I  saw  in  my 
dream."  She  had  not  been  long  there  before  she 
saw  Mr.  Shower  go  up  into  the  pulpit,  and,  looking 
at  him  with  greater  surprise,  said,  "  This  is  the 
very  man  I  saw  in  my  dream;  and,  if  every  p;irt 
of  it  hold  true,  he  will  take  for  his  text,  Psalm 
cxvi.  7 :  '  Return  to  thy  rest,  0  my  soul,  for  the 


2G2  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

Lord  hath  dealt  bountifully  with  thee.'  When  he 
rose  up  to  pray,  she  was  all  attention,  and  every  sen- 
tence went  to  her  heart.  Having  finished  his  prayer 
he  took  that  very  passage  for  his  text,  and  God 
was  pleased  to  make  the  discourse  founded  upon  it 
the  means  of  her  saving  conversion ;  and  thus  she 
at  last  found  what  she  had  so  long  sought  elsewhere 
in  vain:  "Rest  to  her  soul!"  And  now  she  ob- 
tained that  blessing  from  God,  the  fountain  of  feli- 
city, which  pious  Mr.  Rogers  so  many  years  before 
had  so  solemnly  and  fervently  implored  in  her 
behalf. 


INTERESTING  STORY. 

THE  following  artless  and  interesting  relation  is 
another  proof  of  the  advantages  of  Bible  and  Tract 
Societies.  It  is  important  that  the  sinner,  through 
some  medium,  be  warned  of  his  danger.  If  this  be 
well  and  faithfully  done,  the  laborer  will  not  always 
be  without  his  reward. 

The  W ,  a  vessel  of  upwards  of  400  tons, 

was  freighted  from  Liverpool  for  a  trading  voyage  up 
the  Mediterranean  Sea.  I  was  intimately  acquainted 
with  the  captain's  nephew,  an  accomplished  young 
man,  of  handsome  person,  but  alas  !  a  willing  victim 
at  the  shrine  of  pleasure.  He  had  shipped  himself 
for  the  voyage  as  steward.  When  leaving  Liver- 
pool, I  put  into  his  hands  a  small  bundle  of  tracts, 
and,  in  proof  of  his  esteem  for  me,  he  promised  to 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  263 

read  them  at  his  leisure,  and  likewise  to  distribute 
some  among  the  ship's  company.  Not  an  individual, 
from  the  captain  to  the  cabin-boy,  had  the  least 
sense  of  religion,  nor  do  I  believe  they  had  a  Bible 
or  Testament  on  board.  On  the  return  of  the  ves- 
sel, about  twelve  months  afterwards,  as  soon  as  my 
young  friend  could  step  on  shore,  he  paid  me  the 
first  visit.  On  my  saluting  him  with,  "  Well,  what 
cheer,  my  lad  ?"  he  answered  (at  the  same  time  the 
tears  trembling  in  his  eyes),  "Through  the  mercy 
of  God,  I  am  well,  and  the  whole  ship's  crew." 
Surprised  at  hearing  a  strain  of  pious  gratitude 
flow  from  those  lips  which  formerly  were  seldom 
opened  except  to  pollute  them  with  profane  conver- 
sation, I  said,  "  William,  what  has  produced  this 
change  in  your  look,  your  address,  your  language  ? 
How  is  it  that  you  acknowledge  it  is  of  the  Lord's 
mercies  that  you  are  not  consumed  ?"  "  Sir  (said 
he),  I  will  relate  particulars — you  recollect  on  my 
taking  leave  of  you,  you  placed  in  my  hand  a  small 
parcel  of  tracts,  and  I  promised  to  read  them :  this 
I  have  done.  On  leaving  the  port  we  had  a  favora- 
ble wind  through  the  channel ;  the  wind  then  chop- 
ping round  direct  in  our  teeth.  We  had  to  contend 
with  light,  contrary  winds,  till  we  entered  the  Gut 
of  Gibraltar.  During  this  part  of  our  voyage  I  had 
little  or  no  opportunity  to  read  the  tracts.  I  did  on 
the  first  Sabbath  turn  them  over,  and  put  a  few  in 
my  pocket,  and  occasionally  taking  one  out,  gave  it 
a  sneering  glance,  and  then  handed  it  to  one  of  the 


264  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

boys  or  men,  with  a  smile  of  ridicule.  On  passing 
the  Gut,  we  had  a  tedious  though  pleasant  voyage 
to  Smyrna. 

"  Having  much  time  upon  my  hands,  I  now  and 
then  looked  at  a  tract,  to  pass  away  time.  One 
evening  (I  well  remember  the  evening),  about  an 
hour  before  sunset,  scarce  a  breath  of  air,  we  had 
spread  all  the  canvas  we  could,  which  lay  Happing 
idly  against  the  mast ;  the  men  on  board,  some  sit- 
ting on  the  forehatch,  others  lolling  over  the  wind- 
lass, now  and  then  whispering  a  curse  instead  of  a 
prayer  for  a  breeze ;  a  boy  sitting  athwart  a  gun ; 
the  captain  in  the  cabin  smoking  his  cigar,  with 
his  allowance  of  grog  before  him ;  the  wide  and 
beautiful  expanse  of  water,  smooth  as  glass,  bounded 
by  a  clear  and  serene  sky;  the  smoke  of  Mount 
Vesuvius  just  visible  in  the  horizon,  bearing  E.  N. 
E. — every  object  hushed  into  silent  solitude ;  not  a 
sound  was  heard  but  our  own  breathings,  and  the 
gentle  breaking  of  the  sea  against  the  bow  of  the 
vessel — I  was  looking  over  the  ship's  side,  viewing 
the  calm  and  peaceful  close  of  another  day.  This 
brought  to  my  recollection  the  scenery  and  calm- 
ness of  the  evening  when  I  took  my  last  farewell 
of  my  friends  at  home.  It  was  at  sunset  on  a 
lovely  evening  in  July.  Musing  thus  of  home,  my 
mind  had  acquired  a  tint  of  melancholy.  I  just 
then  put  my  hand  in  my  jacket  pocket,  and  feeling 
some  paper,  took  it  out,  and  it  proved  to  be  a  tract 
— *  The  Swearer's  Prayer.'  I  read  it  aloud,  in  tho 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  265 

hearing  of  the  whole  of  the  crew,  and  I  suppose 
much  of  the  tincture  of  my  feelings  was  mixed 
with  my  tone  of  voice.  When  I  had  read  it,  a 
curious  kind  of  silence  ensued ;  not  one  of  us  felt 
inclined  to  raise  his  eyes  from  what  they  were  fixed 
upon,  fearing  to  meet  the  look  of  another,  and  know- 
ing that  to  a  man,  we  were  all  shockingly  guilty  of 
swearing.  At  length  we  looked  at  each  other  in  a 
sidelong  kind  of  way,  and  one  man  said,  '  Mr.  Wil- 
liam, I  never  heard  or  thought  of  this  before;  this 
kind  of  reading  has  made  me  feel  very  strange — I 
am  trembling;  I  don't  think  I  shall  live  to  swear 
again ;  shall  you,  Jack  ?'  turning  short  to  a  seaman 
alongside  of  him,  who  looked  him  full  in  the  face, 
and  burst  into  tears.  The  shedding  of  tears  ran 
like  a  contagion  through  the  whole  of  us,  even  to 
the  boy  across  the  gun.  After  weeping  in  silence, 
with  our  faces  hid  with  our  hands,  one  man  said, 
'  Jack,  suppose  we  had  up  a  prayer  to  God  for  for- 
giveness. Mr.  William,  you  have  had  more  learn- 
ing than  we,  you  can  make  a  prayer/ — Alas  !  I  had 
never  prayed;  I  could  only  sigh;  I  really  thought 
my  heart  would  burst.  0,  how  dreadful  did  sin 
appear!  One  of  the  men  then  broke  the  silence 
of  grief.  With  his  arms  across  his  breast,  and  the 
tears  of  penitential  sorrow  rolling  down  his  manly 
countenance,  he  cried  out,  '  0  God,  who  made  our 
souls,  have  mercy,  and  pardon  the  miserable  and 
damned  crew  on  this  deck.'  Not  a  heart  but  what 
responded,  'Lord,  hear  this  prayer  and  forgive: 

23 


266  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

But  not  to  enter  too  long  in  detail,  the  Lord  was 
pleased  to  work  a  change  in  the  whole  of  the  ship's 
company.  One  circumstance  I  must  not  forget  to 
mention.  The  captain,  a  drunken,  swearing  cha- 
racter, thought  his  men  bewitched.  On  the  follow- 
ing morning  he  came  on  deck,  and,  as  usual,  was 
giving  his  orders,  mixed  with  fearful  oaths,  when 
one  of  the  men,  in  a  most  respectful  manner,  begged 
he  would  not  swear  at  them, — they  would  obey  his 
orders  with  more  comfort  to  themselves  without  it. 
Indeed,  the  captain  remarked  to  a  person  on  his 
return,  that  he  was  obliged  to  refrain  from  swear- 
ing, it  began  to  appear  on  board  so  singular." 


WONDERFUL  SAGACITY  IN  A  DOG. 

WILLIAM  DREDGE  lives  about  five  miles  from  town, 
says  the  California  Times,  at  the  base  of  the  moun- 
tains which  tower  north  of  us.  A  short  time  ago, 
after  midnight,  he  was  roused  from  his  slumbers  by 
the  howl  of  a  dog.  No  menace  on  his  part  could 
rid  him  of  the  presence  of  this  strange  intruder. 
The  dog  continued  to  walk  round  the  cabin,  still 
repeating  his  dismal  moaning  and  howling,  occa- 
sionally making  efforts  to  effect  an  entrance  through 
the  closed  doorway.  Surprised  and  somewhat 
alarmed  at  this  singular  demonstration,  Mr.  Dredge 
at  last  hastily  dressed  himself  and  unbolted  the 
door,  when  a  large  mastiff  rushed  in.  The  dog  at 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  267 

once  caught  hold  of  his  trowsers,  and  employed 
every  gentle  means  to  induce  the  man  to  accom- 
pany him  outside.  Dredge's  first  impression  was 
that  the  animal  was  mad ;  and  yet  so  peculiar  and 
earnest  were  the  dumb  entreaties,  that  he  finally 
yielded,  and  proceeded  without  the  cabin.  A  joy- 
ful yell  was  the  result,  and  the  delighted  brute, 
now  capering  and  wagging  his  tail  before  him,  and 
now  returning,  and  gently  seizing  him  by  the  hand 
and  trowsers,  induced  Dredge  to  follow  him.  Their 
course  was  up  the  precipitous  side  of  the  mountain, 
and  soon  they  were  forcing  their  way  through  a 
snowdrift  that  had  settled  in  one  of  its  numerous 
fissures. 

Here  comes  the  wonder.  Upon  the  snow  lay  the 
body  of  a  woman,  who  had  evidently  perished  from 
cold  and  exhaustion.  Her  limbs  were  already 
stiffened  in  death ;  but  what  was  the  surprise  of 
Mr.  Dredge  to  see  that  faithful  dog  ferret  out,  from 
a  bundle  of  clothing,  that  lay  by  the  side  of  the 
woman,  a  young  child  about  two  years  of  age,  still 
warm  and  living !  A  little  inspection,  aided  by  the 
starlight  and  the  brightness  of  the  snow,  enabled 
him  to  discover  that  the  person  of  the  woman  was 
nearly  naked.  With  a  mother's  affection,  she  had 
stripped  her  own  person  in  order  to  furnish  warmth 
to  her  exposed  infant.  The  trusty  dog  had  com- 
pleted the  work  of  self-sacrifice. 

Mr.  Dredge  immediately  conveyed  the  child  to 
his  own  cabin,  and,  arousing  some  of  his  neighbors, 


268  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

proceeded  again  to  the  mountain,  to  secure  from 
the  attacks  of  wild  beasts  the  person  of  the  unfor- 
tunate woman.  .  Her  body  was  buried  the  next  day. 
The  child  and  dog  have  been  adopted  by  this  good 
Samaritan,  but  as  yet  he  has  been  unable  to  obtain 
light  as  to  the  name  of  the  woman,  or  how  she  hap- 
pened to  stray  on  the  dismal  mountain-side  at  such 
an  unfortunate  hour.  The  child  is  doing  well,  and 
is  truly  a  handsome  boy. 


REMARKABLE  ESCAPE. 

SAMUEL  LEWIS,  Sen.,  was  the  captain  of  a  coasting 
vessel,  and,  in  the  performance  of  his  regular  trips 
from  Maine  to  the  Garolinas  and  the  West  Indies, 
was  necessarily  abroad  a  great  portion  of  his  time. 
Of  course,  his  influence  was  much  less  felt  in  the 
formation  of  his  son's  character.  But  those  who 
knew  familiarly  both  father  and  son,  could  detect  a 
strong  resemblance  in  the  industry,  the  fearlessness, 
the  devotedness,  the  stern  resolve,  which  charac- 
terized the  latter  to  a  remarkable  degree.  When 
he  was  about  the  age  of  eleven  he  accompanied  his 
father  on  his  coasting  voyages ;  and  thus  his  time 
was  partially  taken  up  till  the  year  1813. 

One  day,  when  the  vessel  was  riding  at  anchor  in 
Vineyard  Sound,  in  sight  of  the  town  of  Falmouth, 
the  captain  and  crew  left  her  in  charge  of  the  cabin- 
boy,  for  this  was  young  Samuel's  position  on  board. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  209 

While  busily  engaged  in  the  performance  of  his 
customary  duties,  he  approached  the  side  of  the 
vessel,  with  his  bucket,  to  draw  some  water.  As 
he  leaned  over  listlessly,  his  thoughts  wandering 
away  to  other  scenes,  suddenly  his  feet  slipped,  his 
hands  failed  of  their  grasp,  and  he  fell  into  the  sea. 
There  was  no  one  in  the  vessel  to  aid  him  in  escap- 
ing from  the  water,  and  he  was  too  far  from  the 
land  to  swim  thither,  unless  he  had  been  an  expert ; 
and,  up  to  this  time,  he  had  never  learned  the  art 
of  swimming  at  all.  As  soon  as  the  first  few  mo- 
ments of  surprise  were  over,  he  looked  eagerly 
around  him  for  some  means  of  escape.  No  rope, 
or  chain,  or  other  means  of  ascending  to  the  deck 
of  the  ship,  was  within  his  reach.  The  fore-chains 
hung  in  their  usual  place,  but  some  distance  above 
the  water.  For  the  first  time  in  his  life,  he  swam, 
making  his  way  around  the  vessel  as  well  as  he 
was  able,  and  scanning  every  part  within  his  reach. 
Finding  no  other  resource,  he  struggled  back  to  the 
fore-chains,  and  attempted  to  lay  hold  of  them, 
leaping  upward  as  far  as  he  could.  Failing  entirely 
in  the  attempt,  he  soon  fell  back,  so  much  exhausted 
as  to  give  over  the  struggle. 

"In  a  few  moments,"  we  have  heard  him  say, 
"I  gave  up,  and  strove  to  resign  myself  to  die. 
All  the  deeds  of  my  short  life  came  across  iny 
mind ;  I  tried  to  pray,  and  to  lie  quiet  in  the  hands 
of  my  heavenly  Father.  Soon  my  mind  began  to 
revert  to  my  father's  family,  and,  beyond  all  others 
23* 


270  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

upon  earth,  to  my  mother.  I  thought  of  her  grief 
and  distress  when  my  body  should  be  swept  ashore, 
or  all  search  for  it  abandoned.  I  thought  of  the 
agony  of  suspense  that  would  torture  her  mind,  till 
it  was  certain  that  I  no  longer  lived.  And  as  I 
seemed  to  see  her  tears,  and  to  listen  to  her  sighs, 
I  resolved  to  make  still  another  effort  for  my  life. 
I  swam  again  to  the  fore-chains,  catching  sight  in 
my  way  of  the  fields  and  dwellings  of  my  native 
town.  Armed  with  additional  resolution  by  such 
a  view,  I  prayed  to  God,  earnestly  as  ever  I  prayed 
in  my  life,  to  aid  me  in  my  last  trial.  As  I  came 
up,  I  observed  that  the  warm  sun  had  softened  in 
a  slight  degree  the  pitchy  seams  in  the  sides.  Into 
these  seams  I  fastened  my  nails,  and,  raising  myself 
as  far  as  possible  out  of  the  water,  I  made  one  bold 
leap,  caught  the  chains,  and  was  soon  on  the  deck. 
But  as  I  turned  and  looked  down  upon  the  water, 
where  I  had  so  lately  awaited  death,  I  was  horrified 
at  the  sight  of  a  monstrous  shark,  lashing  the  waves 
in  disappointment  as  he  turned  away  from  the  ves- 
sel. I  fell  upon  my  knees  in  a  moment,  and  re- 
turned thanks  to  God,  who  had  so  wonderfully 
spared  me  from  a  death  far  more  dreadful  than  the 
one  I  had  before  expected." 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES  271 


A  PROVIDENTIAL  PROTECTOR. 

THE  following  singular  story  is  told  by  a  clergy- 
man who  knew  the  truthfulness  of  it,  concerning 
an  attack  made  by  robbers  upon  a  farm-house,  in 
Canada,  several  years  ago.  The  farm-house  was  a 
solitary  one ;  there  was  not  another  within  a  half- 
mile  of  it.  On  the  night  of  the  attack,  there  was 
a  good  deal  of  money  in  the  house,  the  proceeds  of 
a  large  sale  of  stock  made  that  day.  The  mother 
and  her  three  young  children,  and  a  maid  servant, 
were  the  sole  inmates.  They  had  retired  to  rest 
some  time.  The  wind  was  howling  fearfully,  and 
shook  the  wooden  house  at  every  blast.  This  kept 
the  poor  woman  awake,  and  she  thought  she  heard, 
in  the  pauses  of  the  tempest,  some  strange  and 
unusual  noises,  seemingly  at  the  back  of  the  house. 
While  eagerly  listening  to  catch  the  sound  again, 
she  was  startled  by  the  violent  barking  of  a  dog, 
apparently  in  a  room  in  the  front  of  the  house,  im- 
mediately beneath  the  bed-chamber.  This  alarmed 
her  still  more,  as  they  had  no  dog  of  their  own. 
She  immediately  rose,  and  going  to  the  maid's  room, 
awoke  her,  and  they  went  down  together.  They 
first  peeped  into  the  room  where  they  had  heard 
the  dog.  It  was  moonlight,  at  least  partially  so, 
for  the  night  was  cloudy,  still  it  was  light  enough 
to  distinguish  objects,  though  but  faintly.  They 
saw  an  immense  black  dos;  scratching  and  gnawing 


272  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

furiously  at  the  door  leading  into  the  kitchen,  from 
whence  she  thought  that  the  noises  she  first  heard 
had  proceeded.  She  requested  the  servant  to  open 
the  door  which  the  dog  was  attacking  so  violently. 
The  girl  was  a  determined  and  resolute  creature, 
devoid  of  fear,  and  she  did  so  without  hesitation, 
when  the  dog  rushed  out,  and  the  widow  saw 
through  the  open  door  two  men  at  the  kitchen 
window,  which  was  open.  The  men  instantly  re- 
treated, and  the  dog  leaped  through  the  window 
after  them.  A  violent  scuffle  ensued,  and  it  was 
evident,  from  the  occasional  yelping  of  the  noble 
animal,  that  he  sometimes  had  the  worst  of  it.  The 
noise  of  the  contest,  however,  gradually  receded, 

till  Mrs.  M could  hear  only  now  and  then  a 

faint  and  distant  bark.  The  robbers,  or  perhaps 
murderers,  had  taken  out  a  pane  of  glass,  which 
had  enabled  them  to  undo  the  fastenings  of  the 
window,  when,  but  for  the  dog,  they  would  doubt- 
less have  accomplished  their  purpose.  The  mis- 
tress and  maid  got  a  light,  and  secured  the  window 
as  well  as  they  could.  They  then  dressed  them- 
selves, for  to  think  of  sleeping  any  more  that  night 
was  out  of  the  question.  They  had  not,  however, 
got  down  stairs  the  second  time  before  they  heard 
their  protector  scratching  at  the  outer  door  for 
admittance.  They  immediately  opened  it,  when 
he  came  in  wagging  his  bushy  tail,  and  fawning 
upon  each  of  them  in  turn,  to  be  patted  and  praised 
for  his  prowess.  He  then  stretched  his  huge  bulk 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  273 

at  full  length  beside  the  warm  stove,  and  went  to 
sleep.  The  next  morning  they  gave  him  a  break- 
fast any  dog  might  have  envied ;  after  which 
nothing  could  induce  him  to  prolong  his  visit.  He 
stood  whining  impatiently  at  the  door  till  it  was 
opened,  when  he  galloped  off,  and  they  never  saw 
him  afterwards. 


REMARKABLE  CONVERSION. 

ABOUT  the  10th  of  April,  1843,  in  one  of  the 
Middle  States,  the  writer  of  this  article  was  read- 
ing in  his  room  a  portion  of  the  thirty-third  chapter 
of  Ezekiel,  the  tenth  to  sixteenth  verses  inclusive ; 
he  was  impressed  to  mark  the  verse  and  chapter, 
and  read  them  to  the  next  mourner  in  Zion  he  met. 
On  the  12th,  two  days  after,  early  in  the  morning, 
while  working  in  his  garden,  a  woman  was  sent  to 
him,  desiring  his  immediate  attendance  on  a  man 
who  seemed  to  be  almost  in  despair.  She  stated 
that  she  had  called  on  several  ministers  in  the 
place, — some  were  engaged,  and  others  promised  to 
come,  but  with  the  mourner  time  was  precious,  so 
his  wife  sent  again.  The  case  was  this.  One  of 
the  engineers  on  the  railroad  starting  from  that 
place  was  led  to  see  himself  a  lost  sinner.  He  had 
been  at  the  altar  for  prayer,  and  such  had  been  his 
mighty  struggle  for  mercy,  that  the  body  seemed  to 

partake  of  the  inward  conflict,  so  much  so,  that  it 
18 


274  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

took  two  or  three  men  to  hold  him.  He  received 
no  relief  there.  He  was  not  quite  ready  to  receive 
it  in  the  simple  way  of  faith.  The  afternoon  before 
his  conversion,  while  on  the  engine,  his  distress  was 
so  great,  that  it  is  said  that  another  person  had  to 
take  his  place.  He  was  unable  to  attend  to  any- 
thing more  till  his  burden  wras  removed.  The 
writer  went  to  his  house,  and  entering  the  second 
story,  saw  the  trembling  penitent  on  the  bare  floor ; 
he  had  no  coat  on ;  he  was  lying  on  his  back.  He 
was  crying  earnestly  to  God  to  have  mercy  on  him 
and  forgive  him  all  his  sins.  His  wife  was  sitting 
on  a  chest  alongside  of  him,  with  her  dear  little 
children  around  her ;  all  were  weeping. 

The  brother  said  to  him  immediately,  "  Here  is 
good  news  for  you ;  be  as  quiet  as  you  can  till  you 
hear  it."  It  was  read  slowly  and  seriously,  and 
commented  on  in  a  few  words.  Kneeling  before 
the  Lord,  faith  was  explained.  He  was  then  shown 
how  God  could  be  just  and  yet  forgive  the  sinner. 
How  Christ  was  the  end  of  the  law  for  righteous- 
ness to  all  that  believe.  He  seemed  to  fix  his  mind 
intently  on  what  was  said,  his  countenance  bright- 
ened, but  again  it  was  clouded.  The  brother  said : 

"  Perhaps  you  now  think  that  God  could  not 
pardon  such  a  sinner  as  you  are,  and  that  the  offers 
of  mercy  read  to  you  are  too  good  to  be  true  ?" 

He  said,  u  I  was  just  thinking  so." 

He  was  told  that  that  was  unbelief;  that  he  must 
have  faith  in  God,  and  the  work  would  be  done ; 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  275 

that  without  faith  it  was  impossible  to  please  God. 
lie  looked  up  with  a  heavenly  smile,  and  claimed 
the  promise,  and  was  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost. 
There  had  been  no  time  for  prayer.  This  only 
occupied  about  ten  minutes;  he  needed  light  on 
the  plan  of  salvation,  and  "  Out  of  Zion,  the  per- 
fection of  beauty,  God  shined."  He  arose  to  his 
feet  and  stood  with  his  arms  stretched  heavenward 
for  one  or  two  hours,  praising  God ;  his  face  shone 
with  glory  beaming  forth;  being  weak,  he  stag- 
gered. He  said : — 

"  Friends,  I  am  not  drunk  with  wine,  but  with 
the  Spirit." 

About  twenty  of  his  neighbors  had  run  in,  hear- 
ing the  noise.  Among  them  was  one  who  was  the 
keeper  of  a  tenpin  alley,  or  a  billiard  saloon ;  he 
hung  down  his  head  and  wept  like  a  child. 

Some  time  after,  the  converted  brother  called  for 
advice.  He  was  desired  to  run  the  cars  on  the  Sab- 
bath ;  he  was  told  to  "  obey  God  rather  than  man." 
He  obeyed  God  and  kept  the  Comforter,  but  lost 
his  place.  He  left  wife,  children,  and  home,  for  a 
distant  city,  but  after  a  time  returned,  and  received 
something  to  do  from  one  who  is  ever  ready  to  help 
God's  children. 

In  about  two  years  he  was  invited  to  resume  his 
place  on  the  engine,  and  have  the  Sabbath  to  him- 
self. So  after  he  was  tried  in  the  furnace,  God  gave 
him  favor  with  the  people.  It  is  now  thirteen  years 


27C  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

since.  He  has  been  a  leader  a  number  of  years*. 
He  is  still  on  the  engine ;  his  soul  is  on  the  wing 
for  glory ;  his  mouth  is  filled  with  the  high  praises 
of  God ;  may  we  meet  in  heaven. 


PART   Y. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE  PROVIDENCE  IN 
FAVOR  OF  THE  SABBATH. 

"  If  thou  turn  away  thy  foot  from  the  Sabbath,  from  doing  thy  pleasure  on 
my  holy  day,  and  call  the  Sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honorable; 
and  shall  honor  him,  not  doing  thino  own  ways,  nor  finding  thine  own  plea- 
sure, nor  speaking  thiue  own  words;  then  shalt  thou  delight  thyself  in  the 
Lord,  and  I  will  cause  thee  to  ride  on  the  high  places  of  the  earth,  and  feed 
thee  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob." — ISAIAH  Iviii.  13-14. 


24  (277) 


REPORT  IN  THE  BRITISH  HOUSE  OF  COMMONS. 

IN  the  year  1832,  the  British  House  of  Commons 
appointed  a  committee  to  investigate  the  effects  of 
laboring  seven  days  in  a  week,  compared  with  those 
of  laboring  only  six,  and  resting  one.  That  com- 
mittee consisted  of  Sir  Andrew  Agnew,  Sir  Robert 
Peel,  Sir  Robert  Inglis,  Sir  Thomas  Baring,  Sir 
George  Murray,  Fowell  Buxton,  Lord  Morpeth, 
Lord  Ashley,  Lord  Viscount  Sandon,  and  twenty 
other  members  of  parliament.  They  examined  a 
great  number  of  witnesses',  of  various  professions 
and  employments.  Among  them  was  John  Richard 
Farre,  M.  D.,  of  London,  of  whom  they  speak  as 
"  an  acute  and  experienced  physician."  The  follow- 
ing is  the  testimofly  : — 

"  I  have  practised  as  a  physician  between  thirty 
and  forty  years ;  and  during  the  early  part  of  my 
life,  as  the  physician  of  a  public  medical  institution. 
I  had  charge  of  the  poor  in  one  of  the  most  popu- 
lous districts  of  London.  I  have  had  occasion  to 
observe  the  effect  of  the  observance  and  non-observ- 
ance of  the  seventh  day  of  rest  during  this  time.  I 
have  bern  in  the  habit,  during  a  great  many  years, 
of  considering  the  uws  of  the  Sabbath,  and  of  ob- 
serving its  abuses.  The  abuses  are  chiefly  mani- 

(279) 


280  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

fested  in  labor  and  dissipation.  Its  use,  medically 
speaking,  is  that  of  a  day  of  rest. 

"  As  a  day  of  rest,  I  view  it  as  a  day  of  compen- 
sation^ for  the  inadequate  restorative  power  of  the 
body  under  continued  labor  and  excitement.  A 
physician  always  has  respect  to  the  preservation  of 
the  restorative  power ;  because,  if  once  this  be  lost, 
his  healing  office  is  at  an  end.  A  physician  is 
anxious  to  preserve  the  balance  of  circulation,  as 
necessary  to  the  restorative  power  of  the  body. 
The  ordinary  exertions  of  man  run  down  the  circu- 
lation every  day  of  his  life ;  and  the  first  general 
law  of  nature,  by  which  God  prevents  man  from 
destroying  himself,  is  the  alternating  of  day  and 
night,  that  repose  may  succeed  action.  But,  al- 
though the  night  apparently  equalizes  the  circula- 
tion, yet  it  does  not  sufficiently  restore  its  balance 
for  the  attainment  of  a  long  life.  Hence,  one  day 
in  seven,  by  the  bounty  of  Providence,  is  thrown 
in  as  a  day  of  compensation,  to  perfect  by  its  repose 
the  animal  system. 

"  I  consider,  therefore,  that,  in  the  bountiful  pro- 
vision of  Providence  for  the  preservation  of  human 
life,  the  sabbatical  appointment  is  not,  as  it  has 
been  sometimes  theologically  viewed,  simply  a  pre- 
cept, partaking  of  the  nature  of  a  political  institu- 
tion, but  that  it  is  to  be  numbered  among  the  natu- 
ral duties,  if  the  preservation  of  life  be  admitted  to 
be  a  duty,  and  the  premature  destruction  of  it  a 
suicidal  act." 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  281 

AT  a  regular  meeting  of  the  New  Haven  Medical 
Association,  composed  of  twenty-five  physicians, 
among  whom  were  the  professors  of  the  medical 
college,  the  following  questions  were  considered : — 

1.  Is  the  position  taken  by  Dr.  Farre  in  his  tes- 
timony before  the  committee  of  the  British  House 
of  Commons,  in  your  view,  correct  ? 

2.  Will  men  who  labor  but  six  days  in  a  week 
be  more  healthy  and  live  longer,  other  things  being 
equal,  than  those  who  labor  seven  ? 

3.  "Will  they  do  more  work,  and  do  it  in  a  better 
manner  ? 

The  vote  on  the  above  was  unanimously  in  the 
affirmative  ;  signed  by  Eli  Ives,  chairman,  and  Pliny 
A.  Jewett,  clerk. 


DR.  F.  BACKUS,  and  seven  other  respectable  phy- 
sicians of  Rochester,  New  York,  have  given  the 
following  testimony : — 

"  Having  most  of  us  lived  on  the  Erie  Canal 
since  its  completion,  we  have  uniformly  witnessed 
the  same  deteriorating  effects  of  seven  days'  work- 
ing upon  the  physical  constitution,  both  of  man 
and  beast,  as  have  been  so  ably  depicted  by  Dr. 
Farre."  They  are  more  sickly  than  others,  bring 
upon  themselves,  in  great  numbers,  a  premature  old 
age,  and  sink  to  an  untimely  grave. 


24* 


282  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 


MATTHEW  HALE'S  EXAMPLE. 

THE  following  declaration  of  Sir  Matthew  Hale 
is  an  illustration  of  this  truth  : — 

"  Though  my  hands  and  my  mind  have  been  as 
full  of  secular  business,  both  before  and  after  I  was 
judge,  as,  it  may  be,  any  man's  in  England,  yet  I 
never  wanted  time  in  six  days  to  ripen  and  fit  my- 
self for  the  business  and  employments  I  had  to  do, 
though  I  borrowed  not  one  minute  from  the  Lord's 
day  to  prepare  for  it,  by  study  or  otherwise.  But, 
on  the  other  hand,  if  I  had,  at  any  time,  borrowed 
from  this  day  any  time  for  my  secular  employment, 
I  found  it  did  further  me  less  than  if  I  had  let  it 
alone ;  and  therefore,  when  some  years'  experience, 
upon  a  most  attentive  and  vigilant  observation, 
had  given  me  this  instruction,  I  grew  peremptorily 
resolved  never  in  this  kind  to  make  a  breach  upon 
the  Lord's  day,  which  I  have  now  strictly  observed 
for  more  than  thirty  years." 


THE  CAPTAIN  OF  THE  WHALESHIP. 

SOME  twenty  years  ago  Rev.  Mr.  Y ,  a  godly 

minister,  used  to  preach  alternate  Sabbaths  in  an 
old  meeting-house,  some  two  miles  east  from  New 
London,  Connecticut.  One  Sabbath,  preaching  upon 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  283 

the  omnipotence  of  God,  he  noticed  a  boy  of  ten 
years  who  appeared  unusually  attentive.  The 
thought  that  God's  eye  was  ever  upon  him,  was  to 
the  boy  strange  and  new,  and  it  made  an  impres- 
sion on  his  mind  that  influenced  his  destiny. 

Ten  years  from  that  time  he  had  become  a  sailor, 
and  one  of  the  most  wicked  men  living.  If  his 
comrades  wished  to  engage  in  any  reckless,  heaven- 
daring  enterprise,  he  was  the  leader.  Returning 
from  a  distant  port,  he  fell  into  some  dispute  with 
others  of  the  crew ;  and  to  settle  it  he  appealed  to 
the  Bible.  He  said,  with  an  oath,  that  his  mother 
had  put  one  into  his  chest  years  before,  and  he 

would  go  and  look  up  the thing.  He  went 

below,  and,  after  searching  a  while,  found  and 
opened  it;  and  the  first  words  that  met  his  eye 
were,  "  Thou  God  seest  me"  the  text  that  had 
arrested  his  attention  in  the  old  church,  and  with 
it  the  thought  that  God  had  seen  all  his  past 
wickedness.  A  sense  of  guilt  overwhelmed  him. 
What  could  he  do?  He  resolved  to  pray;  but 
where  ?  There  was  no  place  to  retire.  His  com- 
panions, wondering  at  his  long  absence,  had  already 
entered  the  room.  But  pray  he  must ;  and  there 
before  those  wicked  men,  partners  in  sin,  with  eyes 
streaming  with  tears,  he  fell  on  his  knees  and  asked 
God  to  be  merciful  to  him  a  sinner.  In  a  short 
time  he  found  peace. 

Ten  years  after  he  was  captain  of  a  whaleship. 
One  Sabbath  morning,  for  the  first  time  on  the 


284  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

voyage,  they  fell  in  with  a  school  of  whales.  All 
hands  were  delighted  with  the  prospect,  and  were 
in  readiness  to  man  the  boats  the  moment  the  order 
was  given ;  but  no  order  came.  The  mate,  impa- 
tient of  the  delay,  went  to  the  captain  to  ascertain 
the  reason.  He  received  answer  from  Captain 

M ,  "  We  have  not  worked  on  the  Sabbath  yet, 

and  we  shall  not  begin  to-day."  The  importunity 
of  officers  and  men  could  not  change  the  com- 
mander's purpose.  The  ship  moved  on ;  in  a  few 
hours  there  was  not  a  whale  in  sight.  When  night 
came  the  order  was  given  to  put  about ;  and  the 
next  morning  what  was  their  surprise  to  find  the 
vessel  surrounded  with  many  more  than  they  had 
seen  the  previous  day !  The  voyage  was  one  of  the 
most  prosperous  ever  made ;  and  there  was  no  more 
murmuring  because  God's  day  was  kept  holy. 

That  captain,  since  his  conversion,  has  been  a 
praying  man ;  has  always  kept  the  Sabbath ;  has 
had  repeated  revivals  on  board  his  ship ;  has  been 
perhaps  the  most  successful  whaler  that  ever  sailed ; 
has  given  away  large  sums  of  money ;  and,  though 
yet  early  in  life,  has  the  means  of  extensive  and 
long-continued  usefulness. 

Should  this  meet  the  eye  of  that  godly  preacher, 
now  fast  nearing  his  end,  let  it  assure  him  that 
oternity  only  will  unfold  the  good  wrought  by  that 
one  sermon.  And  let  it  satisfy  all,  that  to  obey 
God  is  the  only  sure  path  to  success,  happiness,  and 
heaven. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  285 


MANUFACTURERS  AND  THEIR  TEAMS.     , 

A  MANUFACTURING  company,  which  had  been 
accustomed  to  carry  their  goods  to  market  with 
their  own  teams,  kept  them  employed  seven  days 
in  a  week,  as  that  was  the  time  in  which  they 
could  go  to  the  market  and  return.  But  by  per- 
mitting the  teams  to  rest  on  the  Sabbath,  they 
found  that  they  could  drive  them  the  same  distance 
in  six  days,  that  they  formerly  did  in  seven,  and 
with  the  same  keeping  preserve  them  in  better 
order. 


EXPERIMENT  WITH  CATTLE. 

A  NUMBER  of  men  started  together  from  Ohio, 
with  droves  of  cattle  for  Philadelphia.  They  had 
often  been  before,  and  had  been  accustomed  to  drive 
on  the  Sabbath  as  on  other  days.  One  had  now 
changed  his  views  as  to  the  propriety  of  travelling 
on  that  day.  On  Saturday  he  inquired  for  pas- 
tures. His  associates  wondered  that  so  shrewd  a 
man  should  think  of  consuming  so  great  a  portion 
of  his  profits  by  stopping  with  such  a  drove  a  whole 
day.  He  stopped,  however,  and  kept  the  Sabbath. 
They,  thinking  that  they  could  not  afford  to  do  so, 
went  on.  On  Monday  he  started  again.  In  the 
course  of  the  week  he  passed  them,  arrived  first  in 


28G  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

the  market,  and  sold  his  cattle  to  great  advantage. 
So  impressed  were  the  others  with  the  benefits  of 
thus  keeping  the  Sabbath,  that  ever  afterwards 
they  followed  his  example. 


THE  TEAMSTER  AND  HIS  HORSES. 

A  GENTLEMAN  in  Vermont,  who  was  in  the  habit 
of  driving  his  horses  twelve  miles  a  day,  seven  days 
in  a  week,  afterwards  changed  his  practice,  and 
drove  them  but  six  days,  allowing  them  to  rest  one. 
He  then  found  that,  with  the  same  keeping,  he 
could  drive  them  fifteen  miles  a  day,  and  preserve 
them  in  as  good  order  as  before.  So  that  a  man 
may  rest  on  the  Sabbath,  and  let  his  horses  rest, 
yet  promote  the  benefit  of  both,  and  be  in  all 
respects  the  gainer. 


EXPERIMENT  IN  A  MILL. 

THE  experiment  was  tried  in  a  large  flouring 
establishment.  For  a  number  of  years  they  worked 
the  mills  seven  days  in  a  week.  The  superintend- 
ent was  then  changed.  He  ordered  all  the  works 
to  be  stopped  at  eleven  o'clock  on  Saturday  night, 
and  to  start  none  of  them  till  one  o'clock  on  Mon- 
day morning,  thus  allowing  a  full  Sabbath  every 
week.  And  the  same  men,  during  the  year,  ac- 
tually ground  thousands  of  bushels  more  than  had 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  287 

ever  been  ground,  in  a  single  year,  in  that  establish- 
ment before.  The  men,  having  been  permitted  to 
cleanse  themselves,  put  on  their  best  apparel,  rest 
from  worldly  business,  go  with  their  families  to  the 
house  of  God,  and  devote  the  Sabbath  to  its  appro- 
priate duties,  were  more  healthy,  moral,  punctual 
and  diligent.  They  lost  less  time  in  drinking,  dis- 
sipation, and  quarrels.  They  were  more  clear-headed 
and  whole-hearted,  knew  better  how  to  do  things, 
and  were  more  disposed  to  do  them  in  the  right 
way. 


FOUR  FISHING  VESSELS. 

CAPT.  BOURNE  states  that  about  1829,  he  went 
out  from  Rhode  Island  in  a  brig  on  a  fishing  voy- 
age along  the  coast  of  Labrador,  with  a  crew  of 
thirteen  men.  Three  other  vessels,  with  larger 
crews,  from  the  same  state,  accompanied  him. 
When  they  arrived  upon  the  ground,  Captain  B. 
determined  that  he  and  his  crew  should  sacredly 
regard  the  Sabbath  ;  but  the  other  crews  prosecuted 
their  employment  on  that  day  the  same  as  on 
others.  After  fishing  with  them  in  company  for 
two  weeks,  and  finding  it  in  some  respects  quite 
disagreeable,  he  parted  from  them,  and  went  farther 
north,  and  fished  in  company  with  English  vessels, 
who  pursued  the  same  course  respecting  the  Sab- 
bath day  which  he  did  himself.  Trusting  in  that 
Providence  which  favors  those  who  regard  the  true 


288  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

and  right,  he  was  not  disappointed.  He  and  his 
men  succeeded  in  getting  a  "  full  voyage,"  cured 
their  fish  and  sold  it  some  four  weeks  sooner  than 
any  of  the  Sabbath-breaking  vessels  that  accom- 
panied them.  What  was  better,  Capt.  B.  and  his 
crew  made  more  profits  to  a  share  in  less  time,  than 
those  who  profaned  the  Sabbath  and  wore  them- 
selves out  by  laboring  hard  seven  days  in  the  week. 


SABBATH-BREAKING  UNNECESSARY. 

AT  the  second  annual  meeting  of  the  Society  for 
Promoting  the  due  Observance  of  the  Lord's  Day, 
the  Rev.  H.  Stowell  stated,  that  at  a  large  meeting, 
which  was  held  at  Manchester,  England,  to  petition 
the  legislature  on  the  better  observance  of  the  Sab- 
bath, a  leading  spinner  came  forward,  and  said,  that 
there  was  nothing  more  common  than  to  hear  from 
his  brother  spinners  and  master  manufacturers  this 
assertion,  "  If  you  stop  the  mill  altogether  on  Sun- 
day, you  must  frequently  stop  it  on  Monday  also ; 
because,  if  the  engine  gets  out  of  order,  or  any  other 
necessary  repair  be  required,  it  must  be  done  on  the 
Sunday,  or  the  mill  cannot  proceed  on  the  Monday." 
Now,  all  this  seems  mighty  plausible,  said  the  good 
man,  but  I  can  prove  it  to  be  false ;  for  in  my  mill 
I  never  suffer  a  stroke  to  be  struck  on  the  Sabbath ; 
and  on  one  occasion,  my  boiler  had  suffered  a  mis- 
fortune on  a  Saturday,  and  I  feared  the  mill  must 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  289 

stop  on  the  Monday,  but  determined  to  try  what 
could  be  done.  I  sent  for  a  leading  engineer,  and 
said  to  him,  "  Can  you  have  the  mill  ready  to  work 
on  Monday  morning  ?"  "  Yes,  certainly  I  can." 
"  But  then,"  said  I,  "  you  mean  to  work  on  Sun- 
day ?"  "  Of  course,  sir."  "  But,"  said  I,  "  you  shall 
not  do  it  in  my  mill."  "  But  I  cannot  mend  the 
boiler,  if  I  do  not,"  said  he.  I  said,  "  I  do  not 
care,  you  shall  not  work  in  my  mill  on  Sunday.  I 
would  rather  that  my  mill  stood  the  whole  of  Mon- 
day, than  that  the  Sabbath  should  be  violated  in 
it!"  The  man  said,  "You  are  different  from  all 
other  masters."  I  said,  "  My  Bible,  not  the  con- 
duct of  others,  is  my  rule;  and  you  must  do  it 
without  working  on  Sunday,  or  I  will  try  to  get 
somebody  else."  This  had  the  desired  effect :  they 
set  to  work,  and  worked  till  twelve  o'clock  on  the 
Saturday  night,  and  began  again  at  twelve  o'clock 
on  the  Sunday  night ;  and  the  repairs  were  finished, 
and  the  mill  was  in  full  work,  at  the  usual  hour  on 
Monday  morning. 


THE  POOR  BARBER  AND  THE  SABBATH  DAY. 

IN  the  city  of  Bath  there  lived  a  barber  who 
made  a  practice  of  following  his  ordinary  occupation 
on  the  Lord's  day.  As  he  was  pursuing  his  morn- 
ing's employment,  he  happened  to  look  into  some 
place  of  worship  just  as  the  minister  was  giving  out 

19 


290  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

his  text,  "  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it 
holy."  He  listened  long  enough  to  be  convinced 
that  he  was  constantly  breaking  the  laws  of  God 
and  man,  by  shaving  and  dressing  his  customers  on 
the  Lord's  day.  He  became  uneasy,  and  went  with 
a  heavy  heart  to  his  Sabbath  task.  At  length  he 
took  courage,  and  opened  his  mind  to  the  minister, 
who  advised  him  to  give  up  Sabbath  dressing  and 
worship  God.  He  replied,  beggary  would  be  the 
consequence.  He  had  a  flourishing  trade,  but  it 
would  almost  be  lost.  At  length,  after  many  a 
sleepless  night,  spent  in  weeping  and  praying,  he 
was  determined  to  cast  all  his  care  upon  God,  as,  the 
more  he  reflected,  the  more  his  duty  became  appa- 
rent. He  discontinued  Sabbath  dressing,  wenl 
constantly  and  early  to  the  public  services  of  reli- 
gion, and  soon  enjoyed  that  satisfaction  of  mind 
which  is  one  of  the  rewards  of  doing  our  duty,  and 
that  peace  of  God  which  the  world  can  neither  give 
nor  take  away.  The  consequences  he  foresaw 
actually  followed.  His  genteel  customers  left  him, 
as  he  was  nicknamed  a  Puritan,  or  Methodist.  He 
was  obliged  to  give  up  his  fashionable  shop,  and, 
in  the  course  of  years,  became  so  reduced  as  to  take 
a  cellar  under  the  old  market-house  and  shave  the 
common  people. 

One  Saturday  evening,  between  light  and  dusk, 
a  stranger  from  one  of  the  coaches,  asking  for  a 
barber,  was  directed  by  the  ostler  to  the  cellar 
opposite.  Coming  in  hastily,  he  requested  to  be 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  291 

shaved  quickly,  while  they  changed  horses,  as  he 
did  not  like  to  violate  the  'Sabbath.  This  was 
touching  the  barber  on  a  tender  chord.  He  burst 
into  tears — asked  the  stranger  to  lend  him  a  half- 
penny to  buy  a  candle,  as  it  was  not  light  enough 
to  shave  him  with  safety.  He  did  so,  revolving  in 
his  mind  the  extreme  poverty  to  which  the  poor 
man  must  be  reduced.  When  shaved,  he  said, 
"  There  must  be  something  extraordinary  in  your 
history,  which  I  have  not  now  time  to  hear.  Here 
is  half  a  crown  for  you.  When  I  return,  I  will 
call  and  investigate  your  case.  What  is  your 
name  ?"  "  William  Reed,"  said  the  astonished  bar- 
ber. "William  Reed!"  echoed  the  stranger;  "Wil- 
liam Reed ;  by  your  dialect  you  are  from  the  west." 
"  Yes,  sir ;  from  Kingston,  near  Taunton  !"  "  What 
was  your  father's  name  ?"  "  Thomas."  "  Had  he 
any  brothers  ?"  "  Yes,  sir ;  one  after  whom  I  was 
named ;  but  he  went  to  the  Indies,  and  as  we  never 
heard  from  him,  we  suppose  him  to  be  dead." 
" Come  along,  follow  me,"  said  the  stranger ;  "I 
am  going  to  see  a  person  who  says  his  name  is  Wil- 
liam Reed,  of  Kingston,  near  Taunton.  Come  and 
confront  him.  If  you  prove  to  be  indeed  he  who 
you  say  you  are,  I  have  glorious  news  for  you. 
Your  uncle  is  dead,  and  has  left  an  immense  for- 
tune, which  I  will  put  you  in  possession  of,  when 
all  legal  doubts  are  removed." 

They  went  and  saw  the  pretended  Mr.  Reed,  and 
proved  him  to  be  an  impostor.     The  stranger,  who 


292  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

was  a  pious  attorney,  was  soon  satisfied  of  the  bar- 
ber's identity,  and  told  him  that  he  had  advertised 
for  him  in  vain.  Providence  had  now  thrown  him 
in  his  way,  in  a  most  extraordinary  manner,  and 
he  had  much  pleasure  in  transferring  a  great  many 
thousand  pounds  to  a  worthy  man — the  rightful 
heir  of  the  property.  Had  the  barber  possessed  a 
half-penny,  or  the  credit  for  a  candle,  he  might  have 
long  remained  unknown;  but  he  trusted  in  God, 
who  delivered  him  from  trouble. 


THE  HAND  OF  GOD  IN  IT. 

A  GENTLEMAN  of  business  started  with  a  horse 
and  sulkey  from  New  York.  On  Saturday  night 
he  put  up  at  a  distant  village.  On  Sabbath  morn- 
ing, after  considerable  hesitation,  he  started  again 
and  proceeded  till  noon,  trying  all  the  way  to 
silence  the  remonstrances  of  conscience,  by  the 
common,  but  vain  plea,  that  he  could  serve  God 
and  keep  the  Sabbath  as  well  on  the  road  as  in  a 
tavern  or  a  church.  At  noon  he  stopped  and  called 
for  dinner.  Whilst  it  was  preparing  he  took  up  a 
magazine,  and  one  of  the  first  articles  that  caught 
his  eye,  was  a  memoir  of  his  own  mother,  which 
he  had  never  before  seen.  As  he  read  he  became 
deeply  affected,  and  the  tears  flowed  so  freely,  that 
he  thought  it  needful  to  apologize  to  the  landlady 
for  his  weakness.  He  told  her  that  the  subject 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  293 

of  the  memoir  which  he  was  reading  was  his  own 
mother.  "  Is  it  possible,"  said  she,  "  that  the  son 
of  such  a  godly  mother  can  be  guilty  of  travelling 
on  the  Sabbath  ?"  The  man  was  confounded,  and 
felt  as  if  he  wished  to  hide  his  head.  He  attempted 
to  excuse  himself;  but  his  tongue  faltered,  and 
seemed  reluctant  to  perform  so  mean  an  office. 
The  people  wrere  assembling  for  public  worship, 
and  he  had  again  a  mighty  contest  with  conscience. 
But  pressed  with  business,  and  having  once  over- 
come its  dictates,  he  prevailed  again,  and  started 
off,  resolving  to  reach  a  certain  place  by  tea-time. 
He  pressed  onward :  but  the  heavens  began  to 
gather  blackness,  the  lightning  to  flash,  and  the 
thunder  to  break  over  his  head.  He  put  his  horse 
to  the  utmost  .speed,  and  arrived  just  as  the  rain 
began  to  fall  in  torrents.  He  threw  up  the  reins, 
told  the  servant  to  put  the  horse  in  a  cool  place, 
and  ran  into  the  house.  The  landlord  knew  him, 
and  soon  informed  him  that  the  tea  was  ready,  and 
offered  to  show  him  the  way.  But  the  thought 
struck  him  that  he  would  first  just  look  at  his  horse 
(for  he  was  a  favorite  animal),  and  see  if  he  stood 
in  a  cool  place,  and  was  well  taken  care  of.  He 
therefore  stepped  into  the  barn,  saw  that  he  stood 
in  a  good  place,  and  went  out  without  laying  his 
hand  on  him,  as  he  generally  did,  when  he  went 
to  see  him.  As  he  left  the  barn,  his  limbs  seemed 
to  fail  him  and  his  senses  departed. ,  He,  however, 
came  to,  and  went  in  ;  there  was  great  confusion  in 
25* 


294  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

the  house,  for  they  said  that  a  stroke  of  lightning 
certainly  struck  the  house  or  some  object  near  by. 
Soon  a  messenger  came  and  told  a  man  that  his 
fine  horse  was  dead.  He  ran  to  the  stable,  but 
soon  came  back  and  said  it  was  not  his  horse,  but 
the  gentleman's  from  New  York.  His  horse,  it 
seems,  had  been  taken  out  of  that  stall,  and  the 
gentleman's  from  New  York  put  in  his  place,  in 
order  to  cool  off.  So  that  one  was  saved  and  the 
other  killed  by  the  same  stroke  of  lightning,  that 
came  so  near  killing  also  its  owner.  The  man  saw, 
or  thought  he  saw,  in  this  the  hand  of  God:  and 
resolved  from  that  time  forward  never  to  break  the 
Sabbath.  And  though  we  are  not  authorized  by 
such  events  to  say  that  such  men  are  sinners  above 
all  others,  yet  we.  are  authorized  to  say  that  when 
men  hope  to  gain,  by  breaking  the  known  com- 
mands of  God,  the  frequency  of  their  disappoint- 
ment, as  well  as  the  remonstrances  of  conscience 
and  their  dependence  on  God,  ought  to  prevent 
them  from  giving  way  to  the  temptation,  and  lead 
them  to  be  contented  with  what  they  can  gain  by 
obeying  him. 

THE  HIDE  TRADERS. 

I  WAS  in  command  of  a  vessel,  saj^s  Captain  S., 

engaged  in  the  hide  trade  between  N and  a 

port  in  Brazil.     It  was  the  custom  of  the  port  to 
load  the  vessels  in  turn  as  they  were  ready  to  re- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  295 

ceivo  cargo.  My  turn  came  to  load.  The  work 
commenced  and  continued  until  Saturday  night, 
when  I  ordered  the  hatches  closed  till  Monday 
morning.  The  stevedore,  wanting  to  work  as  usual 
on  the  Sabbath,  left  the  ship  with  his  gang  mut- 
tering curses.  Monday  came.  I  made  application 
to  the  commission  merchant,  for  the  completion  of 
my  load,  but  was  told  that  I  had  lost  my  turn  in 
loading,  and  must  wait  until  it  came  round  again, 
and  that  the  stevedore  and  his  gang  had  gone  on 
board  another  vessel. 

To  aggravate  my  disappointment,  I  found  that  a 
hostile  feeling  had  sprung  up  against  me,  and  was 
participated  in  by  all  around.  The  merchant  was 
studiously  polite  and  respectful  as  before,  but  no 
longer  familiar.  Masters  of  vessels  avoided  my 
society.  Evil  disposed  persons  busied  themselves 
in  doing  me  secret  injuries,  cutting  my  rigging  in 
the  night  time,  and  in  other  ways  showing  their 
malice.  Our  devotional  exercises,  morning  and 
evening,  were  interrupted,  and  our  efforts  to  do 
good  derided  and  mocked. 

Thus  things  went  on,  until  our  turn  came  round 
again ;  when,  there  being  no  other  vessel  ready  to 
load,  we  were  left  to  do  our  work  in  our  own  way. 
The  loss  of  time  occasioned  by  the  refusal  to  load 
on  the  Sabbath,  amounted  to  several  weeks ;  but, 
after  all,  was  it  in  fact  a  loss?  The  result  will 
show. 

It  was  now  Saturday  night  again ;  the  lading  of 


296  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

the  ship  was  completed,  and  we  were  ready  for  sea. 
The  Sabbath  dawned,  and  with  it  came  a  fresh 
and  fair  wind.  Shall  we  improve  it,  and  violate 
the  day,  and  that,  too,  after  so  many  sacrifices  to 
promote  its  sanctification  ?  It  was  not  to  be  thought 
of;  and,  hoisting  the  Bethel  flag,  as  an  invitation 
for  our  shipmates  to  come  on  board,  we  spent  the 
day  in  devotional  exercises.  It  was  a  happy  Sab- 
bath to  all  on  board. 

Monday  morning  early  we  were  under  sail  for 
the  lower  harbor,  several  miles  distant.  On  our 
way,  we  passed  two  brigs  aground  with  lighters 
alongside  discharging  their  hides,  in  order  to  lighten 
them  and  get  them  off.  They  left  the  upper  harbor 
on  the  Sabbath,  and  here  they  were,  and  like  to  be 
until  the  next  fair  wind  had  blown  itself  out.  On 
reaching  the  lower  harbor,  we  found,  to  our  sur- 
prise, lying  at  anchor,  upwards  of  forty  sail  of 
shipping,  waiting  for  a  wind.  Among  them  were 
all  the  vessels  that  had  cleared  for  the  last  month 
or  more,  including  every  vessel  that  had  obtained 
an  advantage  over  us  in  respect  to  loading. 

We  had  now  to  obtain  a  pilot  and  get  to  sea 
when  the  wind  came  fair  and  before  it  had  spent 
itself.  These  were  by  no  means  matters  easy  to  be 
accomplished.  Pilots  were  few,  and  vessels  many, 
and  here,  too,  the  principle  of  rotation  was  rigidly 
enforced.  The  winds,  meanwhile,  when  fair,  were 
short-lived  and  feeble,  and  the  bar  at  the  entrance 
of  the  harbor,  too  dangerous  to  pass  without  a  pilot. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  297 

But  He  who  had  sustained  us  through  previous 
trials  for  his  name's  sake,  did  not  forsake  us  now. 
A  pilot  who  had  been  on  a  long  visit  to  the  interior, 
returned  to  the  sea-board  and  resumed  his  duties  on 
the  very  day  we  reached  the  outer  harbor,  and  pre- 
senting himself  on  board,  offered  to  pilot  us  to  sea. 

Tuesday  morning  found  us,  with  a  fair  wind,  a 
pilot  on  board,  and  under  way  at  daylight.  We 
were  the  second  vessel  over  the  bar,  and  among 
the  first  to  arrive  in  the  United  States. 

The  getting  out  of  cargo,  its  exposure  and  sale, 
were  matters  of  no  little  interest.  We  then  found 
that  "  in  keeping  the  commandments  of  God  there 
is  great  reward."  Our  cargo,  owing  to  the  delay  in 
getting  it  on  board,  received  unusual  attention  at 
our  hands,  and  was  in  perfect  shipping  order  when 
stowed  away,  and  came  out  in  the  same  good  con- 
dition. 

The  cargoes  of  the  other  vessels  came  out  very 
differently,  with  a  loss  in  some  cases  of  20,  30,  and 
even  50  per  cent.  This  loss  was  occasioned  in  part 
by  hurrying  the  hides  on  board  in  the  first  instance 
without  their  being  thoroughly  dried,  in  order  to 
greater  despatch,  and  in  part  to  the  unusual  deten- 
tion of  the  vessels  at  the  port  of  lading.  From 
these  two  causes  combined,  and  the  activity  of  the 
weevils  that  took  possession  of  the  hides,  and  riddled 
them  through  and  through,  several  of  those  voyages 
turned  out  splendid  failures. 


298  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 


/         TESTIMONY  OF  CRIMINALS. 

A  GENTLEMAN,  who  was  conversant  with  prisoners 
for  more  than  thirty  years,  stated,  that  he  found  in 
all  his  experience,  both  with  regard  to  those  who 
had  been  capitally  convicted  and  those  who  had 
not,  that  they  referred  to  the  violation  of  the  Sab- 
bath as  the  chief  cause  of  their  crimes ;  and  that 
this  has  been  confirmed  by  all  the  opportunities  he 
has  had  of  examining  prisoners.  Not  that  this  has 
been  the  only  cause  of  crime ;  but,  like  the  use  of 
intoxicating  liquors,  it  has  greatly  increased  public 
and  private  immorality,  and  been  the  means,  in  a 
multitude  of  cases,  of  premature  death. 


THE  MURDERER'S  FIRST  STEP  IN  CRIME. 

THERE  is  at  this  moment,  in  the  place  where  I 
reside,  a  young  man  under  sentence  of  death,  for 
murder.  He  is  but  little  over  twenty  years  of  age, 
and  early  has  he  become  a  most  hardened  \vretch ; 
and  the  crime  for  which,  in  a  few  days,  he  is  to 
suffer  the  penalty,  was  committed  under  circum- 
stances of  so  much  coolness  and  forethought,  as  to 
render  the  murderer  an  object  of  peculiar  abhor- 
rence. 

Since  his  conviction,  he  has  said  to  a  clergyman, 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  299 

that  if  he  had  been  religiously  educated  in  his  child- 
hood, he  would  not  now  be  in  a  dungeon.  But  his 
father  and  mother  wrere  both  ungodly,  and  this,  an 
only  son,  was  brought  up  with  no  fear  of  God  before 
his  eyes. 

He  has  also  said,  that  /SabbatJi-breaJcing  was  the 
first  step  in  his  career  of  crime.  With  a  companion 
he  went  off  into  the  country  for  a  ramble  on  the 
Lord's  day,  and  thus  dishonored  and  defied  the 
most  high  God,  and  slighted  the  means  of  grace, 
and  hardened  his  heart  against  the  influence  of 
truth. 

Of  course,  he  did  not  go  to  the  Sabbath  school, 
and  the  restraints  that  its  instruction  throws  around 
the  young,  were  never  felt  by  him.  He  grew  up 
without  God,  and  now,  in  the  morning  of  his  days, 
and  in  the  midst  of  his  awful  sins,  he  is  to  be  hung, 
and  sent  away  to  the  bar  of  an  offended  God. 

There  are  two  great  lessons  to  be  learned  from 
this  fact,  both  having  a  bearing  on  the  Sabbath 
school  cause,  viz.,  the  value  of  early  instruction, 
and  the  danger  of  Sabbath-breaking.  How  many 
facts  might  we  gather  from  the  records  of  our 
criminal  courts,  to  impress  these  truths  upon  the 
minds  of  those  who  may  labor  for  the  young! 
Some  years  ago,  I  caused  an  examination  of  the 
State  Prison  at  Sing  Sing,  New  York,  to  be  made, 
with  reference  to  the  influence  of  Sabbath  schools, 
and  out  of  nearly  a  thousand  prisoners,  not  one  was 
found  who  had  been  a  regular  attendant;  and  0, 


300  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

how  many  confessed   that   Sabbath-breaking  was 
their  first  step  in  crime ! 


LESSON  FOR  YOUNG  MEN. 

SEVEN  young  men,  in  a  town  in  Massachusetts, 
started  in  the  same  business  nearly  at  the  same 
time.  Six  of  them  had  some  property  or  assistance 
from  their  friends,  and  followed  their  business  seven 
days  in  a  week.  The  other  had  less  property  than 
either  of  the  six.  He  had  less  assistance  from 
others,  and  worked  in  his  business  only  six  days 
in  a  week.  He  is  now  (1845)  the  only  man  who 
has  property,  and  has  not  failed  in  his  business. 


DISAPPOINTED  HOPES. 

A  YOUNG  man,  in  Massachusetts,  hoped  to  in- 
crease his  enjoyment  by  going  into  the  water  for 
amusement  on  the  Sabbath,  instead  of  going,  as  all 
persons  should  do,  to  the  house  of  God,  to  worship 
him.  His  friends,  however,  remonstrated  against 
his  profaning  that  holy  day  by  such  amusements, 
and  urged  him  strongly  to  attend  public  worship. 
He  at  length  consented,  but  declared  he  would  go 
into  the  water  after  meeting.  He  did  so.  But 
almost  immediately  after  he  plunged  into  the  water, 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  301 

information  came  to  his  friends  that  he  was  drowned. 
They  hastened  to  the  fatal  spot.  The  water  was 
shallow,  and  he  was  soon  found,  but  apparently 
dead.  All  means  were  used  to  restore  him,  but  in 
vain.  The  vital  spark  had  fled ;  and  he  had  gone 
to  render  up  his  account  of  the  deeds  done  in  the 
body,  and  all  his  hopes  of  an  increase  of  enjoyment 
by  the  violation  of  the  Sabbath,  were  disappointed. 


THE  THREE  SHIPOWNERS. 

SEVERAL  years  ago,  there  lived  in  one  of  our  sea 
ports,  A.,  B.,  and  C.,  all  of  whom  were  owners  of 
merchant  vessels.  Each  of  these  men  loaded  a 
ship  at  the  same  time,  which  was  to  go  first  to 
Egypt,  and  then  to  the  Baltic,  to  one  of  the  Rus- 
sian ports.  All  being  loaded,  they  waited  for  a 
favorable  wind.  On  Sabbath  morning  the  wind 
was  fair.  The  masters  of  the  vessels  went  to  their 
respective  owners  for  sailing  orders.  A.  and  B. 
immediately  had  their  ships  put  to  sea ;  but  C.  told 
the  master  he  must  remain  in  port  till  the  next 
day.  Before  Monday  the  wind  changed,  and  kept 
her  in  port  till  the  next  Sunday,  when  it  again  be- 
came fair.  The  master  again  repaired  to  the  house 
of  C.  for  sailing  orders ;  to  his  astonishment,  C.  re- 
marked that  his  vessel  must  not  leave  port  on  the 
Sabbath.  The  captain  attempted  to  reason  the 

point  with  him,  but  in  vain.     He  was  determined 
20 


302  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

to  honor  the  Lord's  day,  and  trust  in  Divine  Provi- 
dence. Sometime  during  the  following  week  the 
ship  sailed.  It  arrived  in  Egypt  just  as  the  ships 
of  A.  and  B.  were  about  to  sail  for  the  Baltic.  In 
the  mean  time,  information  had  circulated  through 
the  country  that  American  vessels  were  in  port, 
wishing  to  sell  their  cargoes,  and  purchase  rice. 
By  the  time  C.'s  ship  arrived,  the  market  was 
glutted ;  in  consequence,  his  cargo  sold  at  a  better 
price,  and  his  ship  was  loaded  at  a  much  better 
rate  than  the  others.  C.'s  vessel  then  proceeded  to 
the  Baltic.  Providence  operated  here  as  in  the 
Mediterranean.  All  these  ships  reached  America 
about  the  same  time;  C.'s  having  cleared  by  the 
voyage  as  much  as  both  the  others.  Thus  C.  found 
by  experience  that  "  in  keeping  God's  command 
ments  there  is  great  reward,"  even  in  this  life. 


PAET   VI. 

ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  FAITH   IN   DIVINE  PRO- 
VIDENCE. 


"  Are  not  two  sparrows  sold  for  a  farthing  ?  and  one  of  them  shall  not  fall 
on  the  ground  without  your  Father.  But  the  very  hairs  of  your  head  are  all 
numbered.  Fear  ye  not,  therefore,  ye  are  of  more  value  than  many  sparrows." 
MATTHEW  x.  29-?l. 


(303) 


Jfaitjj  in  gibwe 


THE  TRAVELLER'S  GIFT. 

ABOUT  the  year  1797,  Mr.  M.  was  travelling  from 
a  town  on  the  eastern  border  of  Vermont,  to  another 
town  on  the  western  side  of  the  same  state.  As  he 
passed  over  the  mountainous  part  of  the  country,  a 
heavy  shower  of  rain  was  seen  to  be  fast  approaching. 
The  traveller  was  then  in  a  forest ;  no  place  of 
shelter  appeared,  and  he  hastened  on  until  he  arrived 
at  a  small  cottage  on  its  border.  The  rain  had 
just  then  begun  to  rush  down  with  great  violence. 
He  sprang  from  his  horse,  and  without  ceremony 
went  into  the  house.  Surprised  to  see  no  family, 
but  a  female  with  an  infant  child,  he  began  to 
apologize  for  his  sudden  appearance ;  and  hoped  she 
would  not  be  alarmed,  but  permit  him  to  tarry  till 
the  rain  abated.  She  replied,  that  she  was  glad  he 
happened  to  come  in,  for  she  was  always  much 
terrified  by  thunder.  "  But  why,  madam,"  asked 
he,  "  should  you  be  afraid  of  thunder  ?  It  is  the 
voice  of  God,  and  will  do  no  harm  to  those  who 
love  and  commit  themselves  to  his  care." 

20  (305) 


30G  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

After  conversing  with  her  awhile  on  this  topic, 
he  inquired  if  she  had  any  neighbors  who  were  reli- 
gious. She  told  him  she  had  neighbors  about  two 
miles  off;  but  whether  they  were  religious  or  not 
she  did  not  know ;  only  she  had  heard  that  some 
man  was  in  the  habit  of  coming  there  to  preach 
once  in  a  fortnight.  Her  husband  went  once,  but 
she  had  never  been  to  their  meetings.  In  regard 
to  everything  of  a  religious  kind,  she  appeared  to 
be  profoundly  ignorant. 

The  rain  had  now  passed  over,  and  the  face  of 
nature  smiled  once  more.  The  pious  traveller, 
about  to  depart,  expressed  to  the  woman  his 
thanks  for  her  hospitality,  and  his  earnest  desire 
for  the  salvation  of  her  soul.  He  earnestly  besought 
her  to  read  her  Bible  daily,  and  to  give  good  heed 
to  it,  as  to  "  a  light  shining  in  a  dark  place."  She, 
with  tears  in  her  eyes,  confessed  that  she  had  no 
Bible.  They  had  never  been  able  to  buy  one. 
"  Could  you  read  one,  if  you  had  it  ?"  "  Yes,  sir, 
and  would  be  glad  to  do  so."  "  Poor  woman,"  said 
he,  "  I  do  heartily  pity  you ;  farewell."  He  was 
preparing  to  pursue  his  journey.  But  he  reflected  : 
"  This  woman  is  in  very  great  need  of  a  Bible.  Oh, 
that  I  had  one  to  give  her !  But  I  have  not.  As 
for  money  to  buy  one,  I  have  none  to  spare ;  I  have 
no  more  than  will  be  absolutely  necessary  for  my 
expenses.  I  must  go :  but  if  I  leave  this  woman 
without  the  means  to  procure  the  word  of  God,  she 
may  perish  for  lack  of  knowledge.  What  shall  I 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCE?.  307 

do?"  He  recollected  the  Scriptures,  "  lie  that  hath 
pity  on  the  poor,  lendeth  to  the  Lord."  "  Cast  thy 
bread  upon  the  waters,  for  thou  shalt  find  it  after 
many  days."  His  heart  responded,  "  I  will  trust 
the  Lord."  He  took  a  dollar  from  his  purse,  went 
bark,  and  desired  the  woman  to  take  it,  and  as  soon 
as  possible  procure  for  herself  a  Bible.  She  pro- 
mised to  do  so,  saying,  that  she  knew  where  one 
could  be  obtained.  He  took  his  leave,  and  set  off. 
As  there  were  then  but  few  taverns  on  the  road,  he 
asked  for  a  lodging  at  a  private  house,  near  which 
he  found  himself  when  night  overtook  him.  He 
had  yet  a  few  pieces  of  change  in  his  pocket ;  but 
as  a  journey  of  two  more  days  was  before  him,  he 
purposed  to  make  his  supper  on  a  cold  morsel  which 
he  had  with  him.  But  wlien  the  family  came  round 
their  table  to  take  their  evening  repast,  the  master 
of  the  house  very  urgently  invited  the  stranger  to 
join  with  them — not  only  so,  but  to  crave  God's 
blessing  on  their  meal.  He  now  began  to  feel  him- 
self among  friends,  and  at  liberty  to  speak  freely 
on  Divine  things.  The  family  appeared  gratified 
in  listening  to  his  discourse  till  a  late  hour :  it  was 
a  season  of  refreshing  to  their  thirsty  souls.  In  the 
morning,  the  traveller  was  urged  to  tarry  till  break- 
last,  but  declined,  the  distance  he  had  to  travel  re- 
quiring him  to  set  off  early.  His  host  would  take 
no  compensation,  and  he  departed,  giving  him  many 
thanks.  He  travelled  on  till  late  in  the  morning, 
when,  finding  no  public-house,  he  stopped  again  at 


308  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

a  private  one  for  refreshment.  While  waiting,  he 
lost  no  time  to  recommend  Christ  and  him  crucified, 
to  the  family.  When  ready  to  depart,  he  offered  to 
pay  the  mistress  of  the  house,  who  had  waited  upon 
him  very  kindly,  for  his  repast,  and  the  oats  for  his 
horse;  but  she  would  receive  nothing.  Thus  he 
went  on,  asking  for  refreshment  as  often  as  he 
needed  it,  and  recommending  religion  wherever  he 
called ;  and  always  offering,  as  another  traveller 
would  do,  to  pay  his  expenses ;  but  no  one  would 
accept  his  money,  although  it  was  not  known  that 
his  stock  was  so  low,  for  he  told  them  not,  and  his 
appearance  was  respectable  :  at  home  he  was  a  man 
of  wealth.  "  What,"  thought  he,  "  does  this  mean  ? 
I  was  never  treated  in  this  manner  on  a  journey 
before."  The  dollar  given  to  the  destitute  woman 
recurred  to  his  mind ;  and  conscience  replied,  "  I 
have  been  well  paid.  It  is,  indeed,  safe  lending  to 
the  Lord."  On  the  second  day  after  he  left  the  cot- 
tage in  the  wilderness  he  arrived  safely  at  home ; 
and  still  had  money  for  the  poor,  having  been  at  no 
cost  whatever. 

About  a  year  and  a  half  after  this,  a  stranger 
called  at  the  house  of  Mr.  M.  for  some  refreshment. 
In  the  course  of  conversation,  he  observed  that  he 
lived  on  the  other  side  of  the  mountain,  near  Con- 
necticut river.  Mr.  M.  inquired  whether  the  peo- 
ple in  that  vicinity  paid  much  attention  to  religion. 
The  traveller  replied,  "  Not  much ;  but  in  a  town 
twenty  or  thirty  miles  beyond  the  river,  with  which 


REMARKABLE    TilOVIDENCES.  309 

I  am  acquainted,  there  has  been  a  powerful  revival. 
The  commencement  of  it  was  very  extraordinary. 
The  first  person  that  was  awakened  and  brought  to 
repentance,  was  a  poor  woman,  who  lived  in  a  very 
retired  place.  She  told  her  friends  and  neighbors 
that  a  stranger  was  driven  into  her  house  by  a 
thunderstorm,  and  talked  to  her  so  seriously,  that 
she  began,  while  listening  to  his  discourse,  to  feel 
concerned  about  her  soul.  The  gentleman  was 
much  affected  when  he  found  that  she  had  no  Bible ; 
and,  after  he  had  left  the  house  to  go  on  his  jour- 
ney, returned  again,  and  gave  her  a  dollar  to  buy 
one ;  and  charged  her  to  get  it  soon,  and  read  it 
diligently.  She  did  so ;  and  it  had  been  the  means, 
as  she  believed,  of  bringing  her  from  darkness  into 
light ;  from  a  state  of  stupidity  and  sin,  to  delight 
in  the  truth  and  ways  of  God.  The  name  of  this 
pious  man,  or  the  place  of  his  residence,  she  knew 
not.  But  she  believed  it  was  the  Lord  that  sent 
him.  At  this  relation,  and  the  great  change  which 
was  obvious  in  the  woman,  her  neighbors  wondered 
much.  They  were  induced  to  meditate  on  the 
goodness,  wisdom,  and  power  of  God,  displayed  in 
this  singular  event  of  his  providence.  They  were 
led  to  think  of  the  importance  of  attending  more 
to  the  Bible  themselves ;  and  were  finally  awakened 
to  a  deep  concern  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 
As  many  as  thirty  or  forty  are  already  hopefully 
converted,  and  rejoicing  in  God  their  Saviour." 
Mr.  M.,  who  had  listened  to  this  relation  with  a 


310  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

heart  swelling  more  and  more  with  wonder,  grati- 
tude, and  joy,  could  refrain  no  longer;  but,  with 
hands  and  eyes  upraised  to  heaven,  exclaimed, 
"  My  God,  thou  hast  paid  me  again  !" 


THE  WIDOW'S  SON  AND  HIS  BIBLE. 

THERE  was  a  pious  widow  living  in  the  northern 
part  of  England,  on  whom  devolved  the  sole  care  of 
a  large  family,  consisting  of  seven  daughters  and 
one  son.  It  was  her  chief  anxiety  to  train  up  her 
children  in  those  virtuous  and  religious  habits, 
which  promote  the  present  happiness  and  the  im- 
mortal welfare  of  man.  Her  efforts  were  crowned 
with  the  best  success,  so  far  as  the  female  branches 
of  her  family  were  concerned.  But,  alas  !  her  boy 
proved  ungrateful  for  her  care,  and  became  her 
scourge  and  her  cross.  He  loved  worldly  company 
and  pleasure ;  till,  having  impoverished  his  circum- 
stances, it  became  necessary  that  he  should  go  to 
sea.  When  his  mother  took  her  leave  of  him,  she 
gave  him  a  New  Testament,  inscribed  with  his 
name  and  her  own,  solemnly  and  tenderly  entreat- 
ing that  he  would  keep  the  book,  and  read  it  for 
her  sake.  He  was  borne  far  away  upon  the  bo^oiu 
of  the  trackless  deep,  and  year  after  year  elapsed, 
without  tidings  of  her  boy.  She  occasionally  visited 
parts  of  the  island  remote  from  her  own  residence, 
and  particularly  the  metropolis ;  and,  in  whatever 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  211 

company  she  was  cast,  she  made  it  a  point  to 
inquire  for  the  ship  in  which  her  son  sailed,  if  per- 
chance she  might  hear  any  tidings  of  the  beloved 
object  who  was  always  uppermost  in  her  thoughts. 
On  one  occasion,  she  accidentally  met,  in  a  party 
in  London,  a  sea  captain,  of  whom  she  made  her 
accustomed  inquiries.  He  informed  her  that  he 
knew  the  vessel,  and  that  she  had  been  wrecked ; 
that  he  also  knew  a  youth  of  the  name  of  Charles 

;  and  added,  that  he  was  so  depraved  and 

profligate  a  lad,  that  it  were  a  good  thing  if  he, 
fold  all  like  him,  were  at  the  bottom  of  the  sea. 
Pierced  to  her  inmost  soul,  this  unhappy  mother 
withdrew  from  the  house,  and  resolved  in  future 
upon  strict  retirement,  in  which  she  might  at  once 
indulge  and  hide  her  hopeless  grief.  "  I  shall  go 
down  to  the  grave,"  was  her  language,  "  mourning 
for  my  son."  She  fixed  her  residence  at  one  of  the 
pou-ports  on  the  northern  coast.  After  the  lapse  of 
some  years,  a  half-naked  sailor  knocked  at  her  door, 
to  ask  relief.  The  sight  of  a  sailor  was  always 
interesting  to  her,  and  never  failed  to  awaken 
recollections  and  emotions,  better  imagined  tluin 
described.  She  heard  his  tale.  He  had  seen  great 
perils  in  the  deep,  had  been  several  times  wrecked, 
but  said  he  had  never  been  so  dreadfully  desti- 
tute as  he  was  some  years  back,  when  himself  and 
a  fine  young  gentleman  were  the  only  individuals, 
of  a  whole  ship's  crew,  that  were  saved.  "  We  were 
cast  upon  a  desert  island,  where,  after  seven  days 


312  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

and  nights,  I  closed  his  eyes.  Poor  fellow,  I  shall 
never  forget  it."  And  here  the  tears  stole  down 
his  weather-beaten  cheeks.  "  He  read  day  and 
night  in  a  little  book,  which  he  said  his  mother 
gave  him,  and  which  was  the  only  thing  he  saved. 
It  was  his  companion  every  moment ;  he  wept  for 
his  sins,  he  prayed,  he  kissed  the  book ;  he  talked 
of  nothing  but  this  book  and  his  mother;  and  at 
the  last  he  gave  it  to  me,  with  many  thanks  for  my 
poor  services.  'There,  Jack,'  said  he,  'take  this 
book,  and  keep  it,  and  read  it,  and  may  God  bless 
you — it's  all  I've  got.'  And  then  he  clasped  my 
hand,  and  died  in  peace."  "  Is  all  this  true  ?"  said 
the  trembling,  astonished  mother.  "  Yes,  in  ad  am, 
every  word  of  it."  And  then,  drawing  from  his 
ragged  jacket  a  little  book,  much  battered  and 
time-worn,  he  held  it  up,  exclaiming,  "  And  here's 
the  very  book,  too."  She  seized  the  Testament, 
descried  her  own  handwriting,  and  beheld  the  name 
of  her  son,  coupled  with  her  own,  on  the  cover. 
She  gazed,  she  read,  she  wept,  she  rejoiced.  She 
seemed  to  hear  a  voice,  which  said,  "  Behold,  thy 
son  liveth."  Amidst  her  conflicting  emotions,  she 
was  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Now,  Lord,  lettest  thou 
thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine  eyes  have 
seen  thy  salvation."  "Will  you  part  with  that 
book,  my  honest  fellow  ?"  said  the  mother,  anxious 
now  to  possess  the  precious  relic.  "  No,  madam," 
was  the  answer,  "  not  for  any  money, — not  for  all 
the  world.  He  gave  it  me  with  his  dying  hand. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  313 

I  have  more  than  once  lost  my  all  since  I  got  it, 
without  losing  this  treasure,  the  value  of  which,  I 
hope,  I  have  learned  for  myself;  and  I  will  never 
part  with  it  till  I  part  with  the  breath  out  of  my 
body." 


THE  UNNATURAL  MOTHER. 

THE  Rev.  James  Churchill  relates,  in  his  "  Ana- 
lecta,"  that  a  widowed  mother  lived  to  see  her 
youngest  son,  who  was  a  babe  at  her  husband's 
death,  grow  up  to  manhood  in  the  esteem  of  all 
but  herself.  His  temper  was  mild,  and  his  manners 
affable;  yet  it  is  said  that  when  he  had  attained 
the  age  of  twenty,  he  had  never  known  what  the 
affection  of  a  mother  was  towards  him ;  nay,  nor 
had  ever  received  a  single  kind  word  from  her. 
Blessed,  however,  by  Providence,  he  flourished 
greatly  in  conducting  his  late  father's  business,  em- 
ploying a  number  of  men.  He  took  his  mother 
under  his  own  roof,  settled  upon  her  a  liberal 
annuity,  and  studied  to  make  her  happy.  It  was 
all  in  vain.  She  murmured,  reproached  him,  and, 
on  one  occasion,  rushed  into  the  manufactory  and 
abused  him  violently  before  all  the  men.  The 
people  were  shocked  at  her  conduct;  and  the  son 
withdrew,  overwhelmed  with  grief.  But  worse 
events  were  yet  in  reserve  for  him.  She  immedi- 
ately commenced  legal  proceedings  against  him  for 


314  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

an  assault !  The  men  offered  readily  to  appear  on 
their  master's  behalf.  Their  master  thanked  them, 
but  chose  rather  to  be  accounted  guilty,  and  suffer 
judgment  to  go  by  default,  than  to  appear  against 
his  own  mother ;  and,  though  he  had  a  fine  to  pay, 
this  made  no  alteration  in  his  conduct  towards  her. 
About  three  months  after  this,  she  was  found  dead 
in  her  bed,  with  marks  of  violence  about  her  body. 
The  coroner's  verdict  was,  wilful  murder,  against 
her  son.  The  poor  youth  was  confined  some 
months  in  prison,  among  the  vilest  of  characters,  to 
await  his  trial.  His  mind  was  at  times  distressed 
to  a  very  great  degree ;  reflecting  that  his  charac- 
ter was  ruined,  his  business  nearly  lost,  and  his 
prospect  that  of  ending  his  days  at  a  gallows :  but 
what  harrowed  his  heart  most  was,  that  all  this 
was  brought  about  by  his  own  mother !  Still  his 
confidence  in  that  Providence  which  watches  over 
all,  did  not  entirely  fail  him.  He  could  exercise 
hope;  and  that  hope  was  sustained  not  in  vain. 
For  as  the  time  for  his  trial  drew  near,  two  of  the 
men  who  had  wTorked  in  his  manufactory  were 
taken  up,  on  the  charge  of  having  committed  some 
petty  depredations ;  and,  feeling  the  torments  of  a 
conscience  burdened  with  guilt,  these  wretched 
creatures  voluntarily  confessed  to  a  magistrate,  that 
they  could  no  longer  endure  the  thought  that  so 
innocent  and  so  worthy  a  master  should  lie  under 
the  vile  imputation ;  that  they  were  the  murderers 
of  Mrs.  ;  and  that  the  idea  of  getting  her 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCE.  315 

money  and  jewels  had  induced  them  to  strangle  her 
one  night  while  in  her  sleep !  The  prison  doors 
were  soon  thrown  open  to  the  suffering  young  man ; 
joy  was  diffused  through  the  town ;  his  character 
shone  put  with  a  greater  lustre ;  God  prospered  his 
reviving  business ;  his  family  increased ;  and  his 
children  and  grandchildren  treated  him  with  the 
respect  and  tenderness  which  he  always  manifested 
to  his  mother. 


DELIVERANCE  FROM  STARVATION. 

A  CLERGYMAN  of  the  state  of  New  York  (says 
the  Religious  Museum},  through  a  misapprehension 
of  a  leading  member,  was  precipitately  deprived  of 
his  pulpit,  which  involved  a  large  family  in  neces- 
sity. At  supper,  the  good  man  had  the  pain  of  be- 
holding the  last  morsel  of  bread  placed  upon  the 
table,  without  the  least  means  or  prospect  of  a  sup- 
ply for  his  children's  breakfast.  His  wife,  full  of 
grief,  with  her  children,  retired  to  her  bed.  The 
minister  chose  to  sit  up  and  employ  his  dark  hours 
in  prayer,  and  reading  the  promises  of  God.  Some 
secret  hope  of  supply  pervaded  his  breast ;  but  when, 
whence,  or  by  whom,  he  knew  not.  He  retired  to 
rest,  and  in  the  morning  appeared  with  his  family, 
and  performed  the  duty  of  prayer.  It  being  the 
depth  of  winter,  and  a  little  fire  upon  the  hearth, 
he  desired  his  wife  to  hang  on  the  kettle,  and  sprond 
the  cloth  upon  the  table.  The  kettle  boiled — the 


316  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

children  cried  for  bread — the  afflicted  father,  .stand- 
ing before  the  fire,  felt  those  emotions  of  heart 
unknown  to  those  whose  tables  are  replenished 
with  affluence. 

While  in  this  painful  state,  some  one  knocked  at 
the  door,  entered,  and  delivered  a  letter  into  the 
minister's  hand.  When  the  gentleman  was  gone, 
the  letter  was  opened,  and  to  the  minister's  aston- 
ishment, it  contained  a  few  bank  bills  with  a  desire 
of  acceptance.  So  manifest  an  interposition  of  Di- 
vine goodness  could  not  but  be  received  with  grati- 
tude and  joy ;  and  should  be  a  lesson  to  others  to 
trust  in  that  Saviour  who  hath  said,  "  Verily  thou 
shalt  be  fed ;"  Psalm  xxxvii.  3.  "  I  never  will  leave 
thee  nor  forsake  thee ;"  Heb.  xiii.  5. 

This  remarkable  .occurrence  being  communicated 
'to  fbe  editor,  who  having  an  intimacy  with  the 
gentleman  said  to  be  the  hand  that  offered  the  sea- 
sonable relief,  was  determined  the  next  time  he 
made  him  a  visit  to  introduce  the  subject,  and  if 
possible,  to  know  the  reason  that  induced  the  gene- 
rous action.  The  story  being  told,  the  gentleman 
discovered  a  modest  blush,  which  evinced  the  ten- 
derness of  his  heart.  On  interrogation,  he  said, 
"  he  had  frequently  heard  that  minister ;  on  a  cer- 
tain morning  he  was  disposed  for  a  walk ;  thought 
in  the  severity  of  the  winter  season  a  trifle  might 
be  of  service,  as  fuel  was  high  :  felt  a  kind  of  neces- 
sity to  enclose  the  money  in  a  letter,  went  to  the 
house,  found  the  family  adjusted  as  was  described; 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCE?.  317 

delivered  the  paper  and  retired ;  but  knew  not  the 
extreme  necessity  of  the  minister  and  his  family 
until  this  moment. 


GOD  BETTER  THAN  HIS  WORD. 

IN  a  large  and  populous  village,  in  one  of  the 
hundreds,  or  wapentakes,  of  Yorkshire,  England, 
lived  a  poor,  but  honest  and  pious  man,  whose  name 
was  Jonathan.  He  was  an  afflicted  man,  and  much 
paralyzed  by  disease.  He  had  a  wife  and  two  or 
three  children,  whose  chief  dependence  in  life  was 
upon  his  small  earnings.  Jonathan  was  patient, 
industrious,  and  persevering  in  his  efforts  to  pro- 
vide for  himself  and  for  his  household,  all  of  whom 
were  content  with  homely  fare.  At  the  time  the 
writer  of  this  account  knew  him,  he  might  be  from 
forty  to  fifty  years  of  age.  Amongst  other  occur- 
rences of  his  life,  he  says,  I  distinctly  recollect  the 
following,  which  he  related  to  me  : — 

During  the  time  of  harvest,  while  employed  in 
gathering  the  fruits  of  the  earth,  he  accidentally 
slipped  from  the  top  of  a  barley  mow,  and  sprained 
one  or  both  of  his  ankles ;  in  consequence  of  which 
he  was  confined  to  his  room  and  bed  for  some 
weeks.  It  is  unnecessary  to  state,  that,  in  the 
mean  time,  his  family  must  have  felt  the  loss  of  his 
weekly  labor  and  income.  His  wife,  on  one  occa- 
sion, went  up  stairs  into  his  room  weeping.  "  What 

27* 


318  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

is  the  matter  ?"  said  Jonathan ;  "  what  is  distressing 
thee  ?"  "  Why,  the  children  are  crying  for  some- 
thing to  eat,  and  I  have  nothing  to  give  them,"  was 
the  affecting  reply.  "  Hast  thou  faith  in  God  ?" 
asked  Jonathan.  "  Dost  thou  believe  in  his  provi- 
dence, and  in  his  word  ?  Has  he  not  said,  '  Bread 
shall  be  given  thee,  and  thy  water  shall  be  sure  ?' 
Isaiah,  xxxiii.  16.  Kneel  dowrn,"  he  continued, 
f(  at  the  bedside,  and  pray  to  God.  Tell  him  how 
thy  children  are  circumstanced ;  that  they  have  no 
bread ;  that  thou  hast  nothing  wTherewith  to  buy 
them  any  ;  and  I  will  also  pray.  Who  can  tell 
what  God  may  do  ?  He  heareth  prayer." 

Jonathan  and  his  wife  prayed  earnestly  together ; 
they  pleaded  the  promises  of  God,  and  waited  the 
result.  Soon  after,  a  person  came  to  the  door  with 
a  loaf  of  bread.  She  came  from  a  house  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood  of  Jonathan,  the  occupier 
of  which  was  one  of  several  branches  of  a  family 
who  were  proprietors  of  very  extensive  iron  works, 
carried  on  in  the  village  where  Jonathan  lived. 
No  sooner  did  the  good  woman  receive  the  loaf  of 
bread,  than  she  ran  to  Jonathan  to  tell  him  how 
God  had  answered  their  prayer.  "  Now,"  said 
Jonathan,  "before  anything  else  be  done,  kneel 
down  at  the  bedside,  and  return  thanks  to  God  for 
having  heard  our  prayer."  She  did  so  :  they  praised 
his  name  together ;  and  then  ate  their  food  with 
gladness  and  singleness  of  heart.  Not  many  hours 
elapsed  before  another  kind  interposition  of  Provi- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  319 

dence  presented  itself.  A  second  visitor  brought 
them  a  joint  of  meat.  When  this  was  told  Jona- 
than, he  replied  to  his  wife,  "  Ay !  See !  God  is 
even  better  than  his  word !  He  promised  bread, 
and  he  sends  flesh  in  addition.  Kneel  clown,  and 
thank  him  again." 


THE  PIOUS  FARMER  PROTECTED. 

SOON  after  the  surrender  of  Copenhagen  to  the 
English,  in  the  year  1807,  detachments  of  soldiers 
were,  for  a  time,  stationed  in  the  surrounding  vil- 
lages. It  happened  one  day  that  three  soldiers, 
belonging  to  a  Highland  regiment,  were  sent  to 
forage  among  the  neighboring  farm-houses.  They 
went  to  several,  but  found  them  stripped  and  de- 
serted. At  length  they  came  to  a  large  garden,  or 
orchard,  full  of  apple  trees,  bending  under  the  weight 
of  fruit.  They  entered  by  a  gate,  and  followed  a 
path  which  brought  them  to  a  neat  farm-house. 
Everything  without  bespoke  quietness  and  security; 
but  as  they  entered  by  the  front  door,  the  mistress 
of  the  house  and  her  children  ran  screaming  out  by 
the  back.  The  interior  of  the  house  presented  an 
appearance  of  order  and  comfort  superior  to  what 
might  be  expected  from  people  in  that  station,  and 
from  the  habits  of  the  country.  A  watch  hung  by 
the  side  of  the  fireplace,  and  a  neat  book-case,  well 
filled,  attracted  the  attention  of  the  elder  soldier. 


320  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

He  took  down  a  book  :  it  was  written  in  a  language 
unknown  to  him,  but  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  was 
legible  on  every  page.  At  this  moment,  the  master 
of  the  house  entered  by  the  door  through  which  his 
wife  and  children  had  just  fled. 

One  of  the  soldiers,  by  threatening  signs,  de- 
manded provisions :  the  man  stood  firm  and  un- 
daunted, but  shook  his  head.  The  soldier  who 
held  the  book  approached  him,  and  pointing  to  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  laid  his  hand  upon  his  heart, 
and  looked  up  to  heaven.  Instantly  the  farmer 
grasped  his  hand,  shook  it  vehemently,  and  then 
ran  out  of  the  room.  He  soon  returned  with  his 
wife  and  children  laden  with  milk,  eggs,  bacon,  &c., 
which  were  freely  tendered ;  and  wrhen  money  was 
offered  in  return,,  it  was  at  first  refused.  But  as 
two  of  the  soldiers  were  pious  men,  they,  much  to 
the  chagrin  of  their  companion,  insisted  upon  pay- 
ing for  all  they  received.  When  taking  leave,  the 
pious  soldiers  intimated  to  the  farmer  that  it  would 
be  well  for  him  to  secrete  his  watch :  but,  by  the 
most  significant  signs,  he  gave  them  to  understand 
that  he  feared  no  evil,  for  his  trust  was  in  God ; 
and  that  though  his  neighbors,  on  the  right  hand 
and  on  the  left,  had  fled  from  their  habitations,  and 
by  foraging  parties  had  lost  what  they  could  not 
remove,  not  a  hair  of  his  head  had  been  injured, 
nor  had  he  even  lost  an  apple  from  his  trees. 

"  The  angel  of  the  Lord  encampeth  round  about 
them  that  fear  him,  and  delivereth  them." 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  321 


A  MINISTER'S  FAITH  IN  PROVIDENCE. 

ABOUT  the  year  1839,  says  Rev.  "W.  H.  Spencer, 
I  attended  the  Bridgewater  Association  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  was  called  upon  to  preach  a  discourse  on 
Foreign  Missions.  I  felt  deeply,  and  the  sympathies 
of  the  audience  became  so  enlisted  in  behalf  of  the 
object  that  an  unusually  large  contribution  was 
taken  up. 

In  the  afternoon  a  warm  and  excellent  discourse 
was  preached  by  another  minister  on  Home  Mis- 
sions. During  his  sermon  the  intrinsic  importance 
of  the  subject  forced  itself  upon  my  mind,  and  led 
me  to  agitate  the  question  how  much  it  wrould  be 
possible  to  give  to  the  cause  myself.  I  was  indeed 
in  a  great  strait  between  charity  and  necessity.  I 
felt  desirous  to  contribute;  but  then  I  was  on  a 
journey,  and  I  had  given  so  much  in  the  morning, 
that  I  really  feared  I  had  no  more  money  than 
would  bear  my  expenses.  But  when,  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  the  discourse,  the  speaker  said  he  could 
hardly  expect  a  large  collection  after  the  amount 
they  had  given  in  the  morning,  my  mind  was  de- 
cided ;  and  I  arose  and  stated  my  convictions  of  the 
importance  of  Home  Missions,  and  for  the  sake  of 
example,  I  informed  the  assembly  what  were  my 
circumstances,  but  that  I  had  made  up  my  mind  to 
give  a  dollar  and  trust  in  God  to  provide.  And  the 

result  was,  that  as  large  a  contribution  was  obtained 
21 


322  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

as  in  the  morning.  At  the  close  of  the  Association 
I  proceeded  on  my  journey ;  and  the  next  day 
called  on  a  friend  and  paid  him  some  forty  dollars, 
which  I  had  collected  for  him.  I  was  now  about 
140  miles  from  home,  with  scarce  a  dollar  in  my 
pocket;  and  how  my  expenses  would  be  met,  I 
could  not  imagine.  But  judge  my  surprise,  when 
on  presenting  the  money  to  my  friend  he  took  a 
hundred  dollars,  and  adding  it  to  the  forty,  placed 
the  whole  amount  in  my  hand,  saying,  lie  would 
make  me  a  present  of  it !  I  had,  to  be  sure,  rendered 
him  some  small  services  of  a  similar  nature  before, 
but  I  considered  him  under  no  obligations,  and  was 
expecting  nothing  of  the  kind !  Gratitude  and  joy 
swelled  my  bosom ;  my  mind  at  once  recurred  to 
my  contribution  the  day  previous,  and  I  felt  con- 
vinced that  I  had  seen  a  literal  fulfilment  of  the 
promise,  "  Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  unto  you ;  good 
measure  pressed  down  and  running  over,  shall  men 
give  into  your  bosom." 


THE  POOR  REMEMBERED. 

A  VENERABLE  clergyman  in  the  west  of  England, 
of  the  name  of  Thompson,  had  annually  for  many 
years  made  it  his  custom  to  distribute  the  overplus 
of  his  farm  among  the  poor  of  his  parish,  after 
having  supplied  the  wants  of  his  own  household. 

One  year,  however,  he  was  compelled  to  depart 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  323 

from  this  plan.  His  benevolence  hud  led  him  to 
engage  to  give  thirty  pounds  towards  the  erection 
of  a  chapel,  in  a  town  whose  inhabitants  needed 
more  church  room.  He  was  compelled,  instead  of 
giving  his  corn  to  the  poor,  to  sell  as  much  of  it  as 
would  raise  the  sum  promised.  He  regretted  the 
circumstance,  but  it  was  unavoidable. 

Having  thus  procured  the  money,  he  left  his 
home  to  be  the  bearer  of  his  own  benefaction.  On 
the  road  he  overtook  a  young  lady,  mounted  on  a 
single  horse  like  himself,  whom  he  accosted  with 
frankness  and  kindness.  They  travelled  together 
over  a  dowrn,  and  found  they  were  going  to  the 
same  place.  His  conversation  and  manner  won 
much  on  the  respect  of  the  young  lady,  who  listened 
with  attention  to  his  serious  and  holy  conversation. 
She  learned  his  name,  and  his  residence,  and,  when 
they  were  about  to  part,  was  invited  by  the  old 
clergyman  to  call  upon  him  at  his  friend's  house  in 
the  town. 

In  the  course  of  the  evening,  the  young  lady  re- 
lated with  great  pleasure,  at  her  friend's  where  she 
was  on  a  visit,  the  very  gratifying  journey  she  had 
travelled,  with  a  clergyman  of  the  name  of  Thomp- 
son. 

"  Thompson  !"  exclaimed  the  lady  of  the  house ; 
"  I  wish  it  was  the  Mr.  Thompson  for  whom  wre  have 
for  many  years  been  inquiring  in  vain.  I  have 
money,  tied  up  in  a  bag  by  my  late  husband,  due 
to  a  person  of  that  name,  who  desired  to  leave  it 


324  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

till  called  for.  But  I  suppose  he  is  dead,  and  his 
executor,  whoever  he  be,  knows  nothing  of  it."  It 
was  proposed  that  the  old  clergyman  should  be 
asked  if  this  were  any  relation  of  his.  He  was 
sent  for,  came,  and  it  soon  appeared,  that  the  Mr. 
Thompson,  to  whom  the  money  was  so  long  due, 
was  his  own  brother,  who  had  been  dead  several 
years,  and  to  whose  effects  he  was  executor  and  re- 
siduary legatee.  The  money  was  paid  him ;  he  fell 
on  his  knees,  blessed  God,  who  had  thus  interposed 
on  behalf  of  his  poor  people,  hastened  to  his  friend 
to  tell  him  the  joyful  news,  and  as  he  entered  his 
house  exclaimed,  "  Praise  God,  tell  it  in  Gath,  pub- 
lish it  in  Askelon,  that  our  God  is  a  faithful  God." 


THE  WIDOW'S  TRUST  IN  PROVIDENCE. 

"ONE  evening,"  said  a  pious  widow  lady,  "we 
were  eating  our  supper — we  had  nothing  but  bread, 
and  of  that  not  sufficient  to  satisfy  our  hunger. 
'  Mother,'  said  little  John,  when  he  was  finishing 
his  last  morsel, '  what  shall  we  do  to-morrow  morn- 
ing ?  there  is  no  bread  in  the  house ;  we  shall  have 
no  breakfast.'  I  answered  him,  '  Do  not  fear,  John  : 
God  has  not  forsaken  us ;  let  us  pray  to  him,  and 
be  assured  he  will  remember  us.'  I  made  him 
kneel  down  by  my  side,  and  prayed  to  God  that 
he  would,  in  his  goodness,  have  pity  upon  us,  and 
give  us  bread  for  the  morrow.  I  then  put  my 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  325 

child  to  bed,  telling  him  to  go  to  sleep  quietly,  and 
to  depend  upon  his  God,  who  never  forgot  those 
who  put  their  trust  in  him.  I  myself  went  to  bed, 
firmly  believing  that  God  had  heard  my  prayer, 
and,  commending  myself  to  the  protection  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  slept  comfortably  till  four  in 
the  morning,  when  John  woke  me ;  '  Mother,'  said 
he,  '  is  the  bread  come  ?'  Poor  little  fellow !  he 
had  but  a  scanty  supper,  and  was  very  hungry. 
*  No,'  I  answered,  '  it  is  not  yet  come,  but  be  quiet 
and  go  to  sleep  again ;  it  will  come.'  We  both 
went  to  sleep ;  I  was  awakened  a  little  before  six 
in  the  morning,  by  some  one  rapping  at  my  window. 
1  Dame  Burtlet,'  said  a  woman,  '  you  must  get  up 
immediately ;  Mrs.  Martin's  dairymaid  is  taken 
very  ill,  and  you  must  come  and  milk  her  cows.' 
Here  then  was  bread  for  us. 

"  I  went  to  Mrs.  Martin's,  and  milked  her  cows, 
and  afterward  sat  down  in  the  kitchen  to  break- 
fast ;  but  I  thought  of  my  child,  and  could  not  eat. 
Mrs.  Martin  observing  me,  said,  '  You  do  not  eat 
your  breakfast,  Dame  Bartlet.'  I  thanked  her,  and 
told  her  I  had  left  a  little  boy  at  home  in  bed,  very 
hungry;  if  she  would  permit  me,  I  should  prefer 
carrying  my  breakfast  home  to  him.  'Eat  your 
breakfast  now,'  was  the  kind  reply ;  '  and  you  may 
carry  some  home  to  your  little  boy  besides.'  Mrs. 
Martin  then  gave  me  a  basket  of  provisions,  suffi- 
cient for  myself  and  child  for  several  days.  As  I 
returned  home,  I  could  not  but  thank  my  God,  and 

28 


326  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

feel  grateful  to  him,  and  my  kind  benefactress.  I 
rejoiced  my  little  boy's  heart  by  the  sight  of  his 
breakfast.  He  got  up  directly,  eager  to  partake  of 
Mrs.  Martin's  kindness;  after  a  good  breakfast,  I 
made  him  kneel  down  again  by  my  side,  whilst  I 
returned  thanks  to  our  gracious  God,  who  had 
heard  our  prayers  the  evening  before.,  and  who  had 
given  us  a  kind  benefactress.  When  we  rose,  I 
took  him  in  my  lap,  and  said  to  him,  '  Now,  John, 
I  hope  what  has  happened  to  us  will  be  remem- 
bered through  your  whole  life.  Last  evening  we 
had  eaten  all  our  bread ;  we  had  none  left  for  this 
morning ;  but  we  prayed  to  God  that,  through  his 
mercy,  and  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  he  would 
give  us  our  daily  bread.  God  has  heard  us,  and 
has  given  us  bread ;  may  this  teach  you  through 
life  to  put  your  trust  in  your  Heavenly  Father.  I 
most  earnestly  pray  God  that  you  may  never  for- 
get it.' '  "  And,  madam,"  continued  the  good  WTO- 
man,  "  I  have  never  wanted  bread  since.  I  am 
blessed  in  my  son,  who  is  now  a  man.  He  is  duti- 
ful and  good  to  me,  and  has  never  forgotten  the 
exhortation  I  then  gave  him  to  trust  in  God." 

And  who  will  dare  say  that  this  poor,  humble 
woman,  and  the  interests  of  her  little  household, 
were  objects  too  insignificant  for  the  care  and  atten- 
tion of  Almighty  God  ?  Is  there  a  child  of  His,  or 
any  circumstance  which  bears  in  the  smallest  degree 
upon  the  well-being  of  His  children,  too  insignificant 
for  His  attention  ?  "  Cast  thy  care  upon  the  Lord 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  327 

for  IIo  careth  for  thee."  Do  such  promises  as  this 
belong  to  the  kings  and  princes  and  great  ones  only 
of  the  earth  ?  Nay,  verily,  God  has  pledged  the 
honor  of  His  name,  and  the  sanctity  of  His  cha- 
racter, to  comfort,  sustain,  and  save  every  one,  high 
or  low,  rich  or  poor,  that  trusteth  in  Him. 


TWO  WOMEN  PRAYING. 

IN  the  county  of  A.  there  lived,  remote  from  a 
village,  two  pious  females,  who  had  been  recently 
united  with  husbands  opposed  to  the  gospel  of 
Christ.  These  young  women  beheld,  with  the 
keenest  sensation,  the  dear  partners  of  their  lives 
pursuing  a  path  which  must  soon  end  in  everlast- 
ing death.  Each  had  often  carried  her  troubles 
and  sorrows  to  the  throne  of  grace,  and  laid  them 
before  One  who  knew  the  anxiety  of  her  heart,  and 
each  had  often  shed  the  silent  tear.  As  a  great 
intimacy  had  existed  between  those  young  females, 
they  jointly  agreed  to  spend  one  hour  daily  in 
praying  for  their  husbands.  They  continued  this 
prayer  for  seven  years  without  any  visible  effect. 
At  length,  with  hearts  full  of  anguish,  they  met  to 
mingle  together  their  sorrows.  Their  inquiry  was, 
shall  we  no  longer  pray  for  our  dear  partners — 
must  they,  Oh,  must  they  be  for  ever  miserable  ? 
They  concluded  that  although  their  prayers  had 
not  been  answered,  yet  they  would  persevere  even 


328  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

unto  the  end  of  life,  in  the  course  they  had  adopted ; 
and  if  their  husbands  would  go  down  to  destruction, 
they  should  go  loaded  with  their  prayers.  They 
moreover  resolved  to  renew  their  strength,  and  to 
pray  more  earnestly  than  ever.  Thus  they  con- 
tinued for  three  years  longer.  About  this  time  one 
of  them  was  awakened  in  the  night  by  the  mental 
distress  of  her  husband.  Sleep  had  departed  from 
his  eyes ;  distress  and  anguish  had  seized  his  soul, 
for  the  prayers  of  these  females  had  come  up  in 
remembrance  before  the  throne  of  God;  and  the 
man  who  could  once  ridicule  the  tender  anxieties 
of  a  distressed  wife,  was  now  upon  his  knees  in  the 
greatest  agony.  Now,  with  earnestness,  he  entreated 
her  to  pray  for  him  ;  for,  said  he,  the  day  of  grace 
is  almost  over,  and  the  door  of  mercy  is  ready  to 
be  closed  against  me  for  ever.  His  distress,  ant! 
the  hope  of  the  wife,  continued  to  increase.  As 
soon  the  day  dawned  she  went  with  an  overflowing 
heart  to  tell  her  praying  companion,  that  God  was 
about  to  answer  their  petitions.  But  great  was  her 
surprise,  to  meet  her  friend  coming  on.  the  same 
errand,  to  tell  her  what  God  was  doing  for  her  own 
husband. 

Thus,  after  ten  years'  perseverance  in  calling 
mightily  upon  God,  these  Christian  females  had 
the  unspeakable  satisfaction  of  seeing  both  their 
husbands  brought  on  the  same  day  to  realize  their 
undone  condition,  and  about  the  same  time  to 
accept,  as  it  is  hoped,  the  offers  of  mercy. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  329 


RETURN  OF  THE  PRODIGAL. 

F was  the  son  of  a  devoted  New  England 

minister,  and  the  child  of  many  prayers.  His  mind 
was  carefully  stored  with  religious  knowledge,  and 
disciplined  in  the  best  schools  of  his  native  city. 
Evil  companionships,  however,  early  led  him  astray 
from  the  paths  of  virtue.  A  vicious  habit  of  novel- 
reading  alienated  him  from  the  open  fountains  of 
wisdom,  and  drew  him  away  from  parental  influ- 
ence and  restraint. 

At  length  his  restless  and  adventurous  spirit 
sought  a  sphere  of  unchecked  indulgence,  and  he 
went  to  the  Pacific  coast.  There  he  found  his  asso- 
ciates among  the  thoughtless  sons  of  fortune,  and 
gave  himself  up  to  the  life  of  a  homeless  adven- 
turer. Prosperity  and  adversity  served  alike  to 
harden  his  heart.  Early  convictions  were  stifled ; 
the  house  of  God  neglected. 

But  there  were  bands  in  his  wickedness  stronger 
than  those  of  Satan.  The  anxious  and  aching 
hearts  of  his  parents  were  turned  to  God.  Unceas- 
ing, believing  prayer  ascended  in  his  behalf.  His 
father,  especially,  cherished  the  unwavering  convic- 
tion that  his  wayward  son,  after  running  the  prodi- 
gal's career  of  vice  and  folly,  would  trace  the  prodi- 
gal's steps  of  penitence  and  salvation.  Year  after 
year  he  clung  to  the  divine  promises,  and  pleaded 
28* 


330  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

them  earnestly  at  the  mercy  seat.  He  felt  that  he 
could  not  be  denied. 

A  few  days  ago  the  hearts  of  father,  mother,  and 
friends  were  gladdened  by  the  intelligence  that  the 
lost  was  found — that  the  prodigal  had  returned. 
He  had  visited  a  remote  South  American  port,  and 
on  his  return  voyage  he  was  the  only  cabin  passen- 
ger. The  captain  had  depended  on  him  to  furnish 
a  supply  of  cards,  novels,  and  other  sources  of  time- 
killing,  soul-destroying  amusements ;  and  he,  in  turn, 
knowing  the  disposition  of  the  captain,  had  looked 
to  him  for  an  adequate  supply.  The  few  means  of 
diversion  were  soon  exhausted,  and  after  being  ten 
days  at  sea  the  young  man  found  nothing  to  do  but 
think.  His  past  life  came  up  in  review  before  him, 
and  conscience  revived.  Early  teachings  whispered 
around  him.  An  injured  father's  persevering  faith, 
and  a  weeping  mother's  counsels,  haunted  his  soli- 
tary berth.  The  emptiness  of  worldly  pleasures 
and  the  vanity  of  earthly  plans  led  him  to  reflect 
on  the  surer  joys  and  riches  of  the  Christian.  He 
turned  to  the  word  of  God  and  read  his  condemna- 
tion. His  guilt  rose  mountain-high,  as  the  Holy 
Spirit  unfolded  the  immaculate  law.  He  fell  upon 
his  knees  and  cried  for  pardon. 

By  one  of  those  providences  which  call  forth  the 
adoration  of  the  devout,  there  were  in  the  cabin  of 
this  ship  copies  of  Nelson's  Cause  and  Cure  of  Infi- 
delity, Baxter's  Call  to  the  Unconverted,  James's 
Anxious  Inquirer,  and  Abbott's  Young  Christian — 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  331 

the  first  to  dispel  his  sceptical  doubts,  the  second  to 
fasten  the  arrow  of  conviction  in  his  heart,  the  third 
to  instruct  his  inquiring  soul,  and  the  last  to  present 
encouragements  and  allurements  to  the  Christian 
life.  He  read  them  all  prayerfully.  Before  the 
vessel  landed  at  San  Francisco,  the  great  question 
was  settled,  we  hope,  for  ever.  He  found  peace  in 
believing,  and  entered  at  once  on  the  new  life  of 
Christian  discipleship.  He  made  his  way  imme- 
diately to  the  sanctuary,  engaged  in  Sabbath  school 
instruction,  sought  the  company  of  ministers  and 
godly  men — abandoning  his  former  companions  in 
sin,  or  visiting  them  only  to  labor  for  their  salva- 
tion ;  and  his  letters  to  his  parents  breathed  the 
spirit  of  penitence  and  consecration,  coupled  with 
the  most  touching  expressions  of  gratitude  and 
affection.  The  "  fatted  calf"  would  be  a  small  tes- 
timony of  the  joy  that  fills  the  house  long  saddened 
by  the  wandering  prodigal,  but  now  gladdened  by 
his  return. 

Christian  parents,  and  especially  those  whose 
sons  are  far  away  from  home  and  from  God,  will 
find  encouragement  to  their  faith  in  this  narrative. 
There  are  few  cases  apparently  more  hopeless  of 
reformation  and  conversion  than  the  one  before  us. 
Pride  kept  him  from  coming  home ;  an  evil  con- 
science restrained  him  from  places  and  companion- 
ships likely  to  benefit  him  :  only  a  vigorous  faith 
could  anticipate  the  possibility  of  a  change.  Yet 
grace  triumphed ;  God's  truth  is  vindicated ;  ever- 


332  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

lasting  promises  have  their  fulfilment ;  the  prodigal 
returns.  Trust  that  grace ;  cling  to  those  promises  : 
your  prodigal  son  may  yet  be  saved. 


KNOLLYS'  DELIVERANCE. 

THE  Rev.  Hanserd  Knollys  suffered  much  perse- 
cution for  his  conscientious  attachment  to  the  truth. 
In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  he  emigrated  from 
England  to  America,  the  common  asylum  at  that 
time,  for  all  who  wished  to  enjoy  liberty  of  con- 
science. There  he  sojourned  four  years,  but  re- 
turned in  1641,  at  the  earnest  request  of  an  aged 
father.  On  his  arrival  in  England  he  was  reduced 
to  great  straits,  but  experienced  the  goodness  of 
Providence  in  a  peculiar  manner.  The  following 
particulars  are  extracted  from  his  own  account: 
"  I  was  still  poor  and  sojourned  in  a  lodging  till  I 
had  but  sixpence  left,  and  knew  not  how  to  provide 
for  my  wife  and  child.  Having  prayed  to  God  and 
encouraged  my  wife  to  trust  in  him,  and  to  remem- 
ber former  experiences,  and  especially  that  word  of 
promise,  ;  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee,' 
I  paid  for  my  lodging  and  went  out,  not  knowing 
whither  God's  good  hand  would  lead  me  to  receive 
something  towards  my  present  subsistence.  About 
seven  or  eight  doors  from  my  lodgings,  a  woman 
met  me  in  the  street,  and  told  me  she  came  to  seek 
me,  and  her  husband  had  sent  her  to  tell  me  that 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  333 

there  was  a  lodging  provided  and  prepared  in  his 
house  by  some  Christian  friends  for  me  and  my 
wife.  I  told  her  my  present  condition,  and  wnit 
along  with  her  to  the  house.  There  she  gave  me 
twenty  shillings  which  Dr.  Bastock,  a  late  sufferer, 
had  given  her  for  me,  and  some  linen  for  my  wife, 
which  I  received,  and  told  her  husband  I  would 
fetch  my  wife  and  child  and  lodge  there.  I  returned 
with  great  joy,  and  my  wife  was  greatly  affected 
with  this  seasonable  and  suitable  supply.  After 
we  had  returned  praises  to  God,  we  went  to  our 
new  lodgings,  where  we  found  all  things  necessary 
provided  for  us,  and  all  charges  paid  for  fifteen 
weeks."  When  the  time  was  expired,  he  under- 
took a  school,  and  by  the  blessing  of  God  was  suc- 
cessful in  bringing  up  a  large  family  creditably,  and 
though  several  times  imprisoned  for  religion,  con- 
tinued the  laborious  and  esteemed  pastor  of  a  poor 
church,  for  fifty  years,  till  he  went  to  his  reward, 
September  19,  1691,  aged  ninety-two  years. 


ERSKINE'S  DELIVERANCES. 

THE  Rev.  Henry  Erskine  was  often  in  great  straits 
and  difficulties.  Once  when  he  and  his  family  had 
supped  at  night,  there  remained  neither  bread,  meal, 
flesh,  nor  money,  in  the  house.  In  the  morning 
the  young  children  cried  for  their  breakfast,  and 
their  father  endeavored  to  divert  them,  and  did 


334  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

what  he  could  at  the  same  time  to  encourage  him- 
self and  wife  to  depend  upon  that  Providence  that 
hears  the  young  ravens  when  they  cry.  '  While 
thus  engaged,  a  countryman  knocked  hard  at  the 
door,  and  called  for  some  one  to  help  him  off  with 
his  load.  Being  asked  whence  he  came,  and  what 
he  would  have,  he  told  them  he  came  from  Lady 
Reburn  with  some  provisions  for  Mr.  Erskine. 
They  told  him  he  must  be  mistaken,  and  that  it 
was  more  likely  to  be  for  another  Mr.  Erskine  in 
the  same  town.  He  replied,  no,  he  knew  what  he 
said,  he  was  sent  to  Mr.  Henry  Erskine,  and  cried, 
"  Come,  help  me  off  with  my  load,  or  else  I  will 
throw  it  down  at  the  door."  Whereupon  they  took 
the  sack  from  him,  and  on  opening  it,  found  it  well 
stored  with  fish  and  meat. 

At  another  time,  being  at  Edinburgh,  he  was  so 
reduced  that  he  had  but  three  half-pence  in  his 
pocket.  When  he  was  walking  about  the  streets, 
not  knowing  what  course  to  steer,  one  came  to  him 
in  a  countryman's  habit,  presented  him  with  a  letter 
in  which  were  enclosed  several  Scotch  ducatoons, 
with  these  words  written,  "  Sir,  receive  this  from  a 
sympathizing  friend.  Farewell."  Mr.  Erskine  could 
never  find  out  whence  the  money  came. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCE?.  335 


THE  AGED  CHRISTIAN'S  ADVICE  TO  A  YOUNG 
MINISTER. 

I  WELL  remember,  said  an  eminent  minister  in 
North  Wales,  that  when  the  Spirit  of  God  first  con- 
vinced me  of  my  sin  and  danger,  and  of  the  many 
difficulties  and  enemies  I  must  encounter,  if  ever  I 
intended  reaching  heaven,  I  was  often  to  the  last 
degree  in  fear;  the  prospect  of  the  many  strong 
temptations  and  allurements,  to  which  my  youth- 
ful years  would  unavoidably  expose  me,  greatly  dis- 
couraged me.  I  often  used  to  tell  an  aged  soldier 
of  Christ,  the  first  and  only  Christian  friend  I  had 
any  acquaintance  with  for  several  years,  that  I 
wished  I  had  borne  the  burden  and  heat  of  the 
day  like  him.  His  usual  reply  was,  that  so  long 
as  I  feared,  and  was  humbly  dependent  upon  God, 
I  should  never  fall,  but  certainly  prevail.  I  have 
found  it  so.  0,  blessed  be  the  Lord,  that  I  can 
now  raise  up  my  Ebenezer,  and  say,  "  Hitherto 
hath  the  Lord  helped  me." 


STILLING'S  TRUST  IN  PROVIDENCE. 

IN  youth,  Stilling  was  extremely  poor,  destitute 
of  the  common  comforts  and  necessaries  of  life. 
After  a  long  season  of  anxiety  and  prayer,  he  felt 
satisfied  that  it  was  the  will  of  God  that  he  should 


33G  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

go  to  a  university.,  and  prepare  himself  for  the 
medical  profession.  lie  did  not  at  first  make 
choice  of  a  university,  but  waited  for  an  intimation 
from  his  Heavenly  Father;  for  as  he  intended  to 
study  simply  'from,  faith,  he  would  not  allow  his 
own  will  in  anything.  Three  weeks  after  he  had 
come  to  this  determination,  a  friend  asked  him 
whither  he  intended  to  go.  He  replied,  he  did  not 
know.  "0,"  said  she,  "our  neighbor,  Mr.  T.,  is 
going  to  Strasburg,  to  spend  the  winter  there ; — go 
with  him." 

This  touched  Stilling's  heart;  he  felt  that  this 
was  the  intimation  he  had  waited  for.  Meanwhile, 
Mr.  T.  entered  the  room,  and  was  heartily  pleased 
with  the  proposition.  The  whole  of  his  welfare 
now  depended  on  his  becoming  a  physician ;  and 
for  this  a  thousand  dollars  at  least  were  requisite, 
of  which  he  could  not  tell  in  the  whole  world  where 
to  raise  a  hundred.  He  nevertheless  fixed  his  con- 
fidence firmly  on  God,  and  reasoned  as  follows  :— 

"  God  begins  nothing  without  terminating  it  glo- 
riously. Now,  it  is  most  certainly  true,  that  he 
alone  has  ordered  my  present  circumstances,  entirely 
without  my  co-operation.  Consequently,  it  is  also 
most  certainly  true,  that  he  will  accomplish  every- 
thing regarding  me  in  a  manner  worthy  of  himself." 

He  smilingly  said  to  his  friends,  who  were  as 
poor  as  himself,  "  I  wonder  from  what  quarter  my 
Heavenly  Father  will  provide  me  with  money?" 
When  they  expressed  anxiety,  he  said,  "  Believe 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  337 

assuredly  that  he  who  was  able  to  feed  a  thousand 
people  with  a  little  bread  lives  still,  and  to  him  I 
commend  myself.  He  will  certainly  find  out  means. 
Do  not  be  anxious,  the  Lord  will  provide." 

Forty-six  dollars  was  all  that  he  could  raise  for 
his  journey.  He  met  unavoidable  delay  on  the 
way ;  and  while  at  Frankfort,  three  days'  ride  from 
Strusburg,  he  had  but  a  single  dollar  left.  He  said 
nothing  of  it  to  any  one,  but  waited  for  the  assist- 
ance of  his  Heavenly  Father.  As  he  was  walking 
the  streets,  and  praying  inwardly  to  God,  he  met 
Mr.  L.,  a  merchant  from  the  place  of  his  residence, 
who  says  to  him,  "  Stilling,  what  brought  you 
here?" 

"  I  am  going  to  Strasburg,  to  study  medicine." 

"  Where  do  you  get  your  money  to  study  with  ?" 

"  I  have  a  rich  Father  in  heaven." 

Mr.  L.  looked  steadily  at  him,  and  inquired, 
"  How  much  money  have  you  on  hand  ?" 

"  One  dollar,"  said  Stilling. 

"  So,"  said  Mr.  L.  «  Well,  I'm  one  of  your  Fa- 
ther's stewards ;"  and  handed  him  thirty-three  dol- 
lars. 

Stilling  felt  warm  tears  in  his  eyes;  says  he, 
"  I  am  now  rich  enough ;  I  want  no  more." 

This  first  trial  made  him  so  courageous,  that  he 
no  longer  doubted  that  God  would  help  him  through 
everything. 

He  had  been  but  a  short  time  in  Strasburg,  when 
his  thirty-three  dollars  had  again  been  reduced  to 


338  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

one,  on  which  account  he  began  again  to  pray  very 
earnestly.  Just  at  this  time,  one  morning,  his  room- 
mate, Mr.  T.,  says  to  him,  "  Stilling,  I  believe  you 
did  not  bring  much  money  with  you ;"  and  offered 
him  thirty  dollars  in  gold,  which  he  gladly  accepted, 
as  an  answer  to  his  prayers. 

In  a  few  months  after  this,  the  time  arrived  when 
he  must  pay  the  lecturer's  fee,  or  have  his  name 
struck  from  the  list  of  students.  The  money  was 
to  be  paid  by  six  o'clock  on  Thursday  evening. 
Thursday  morning  came,  and  he  had  no  money, 
and  no  means  of 'getting  any.  The  day  was  spent 
in  prayer.  Five  o'clock  came,  and  3  at  there  was 
no  money.  His  faith  began  to  wav3r;  he  broke 
out  into  a  perspiration ;  his  face  was  wet  with  tears. 
Some  one  knocked  at  the  door.  "  Come  in,"  said 
he  It  was  Mr.  R.,  the  gentleman  of  whom  he  had 
rented  the  room. 

" I  called,"  said  Mr.  R.,  "to  see  how  you  liked 
your  room  ?" 

"Thank  you,"  said  Stilling,  "I  like  it  very 
much." 

Says  Mr.  R.,  "  I  thought  I  would  ask  you  another 
question ;  have  you  brought  any  money  with  you  ?" 

Stilling  says  he  now  felt  like  Habakkuk  when  the 
angel  took  him  by  the  hair  of  the  head  to  carry 
him  to  Bayblon.  He  answered,  "  No ;  I  have  no 
money." 

Mr.  R.  looked  at  him  with  surprise,  and  at  length 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  339 

said,  "  I  see  how  it  is ;  God  has  sent  me  to  help 

you." 

He  immediately  left  the  room  and  soon  returned 
with  forty  dollars  in  gold.  Stilling  says  he  then 
felt  like  Daniel  in  the  lion's  den  when  Habakkuk 
brought  him  food.  He  threw  himself  on  the  floor 
and  thanked  God  with  tears.  He  then  went  to  the 
college,  and  paid  his  fee  as  well  as  the  best. 


THE  POOR  PHYSICIAN. 

A  YEAR  last  November,  says  a  missionary  agent, 

I  preached  a  missionary  sermon  in  the  town  of , 

and  took  a  subscription.  A  physician  subscribed  and 
paid  five  dollars.  A  gentleman  standing  by  told  me 
that  the  five  dollars  was  all  he  had,  or  was  worth  : 
that  he  had  lost  his  property  and  paid  up  his  debts 
and  moved  into  town  to  commence  practice,  with 
no  other  resources  than  that  five  dollar  bill.  He 
and  his  wife  were  obliged  to  board  out,  as  he  was 
not  able  to  keep  house. 

I  resolved  at  once  that  I  would  keep  watch  of 
that  man,  and  see  what  the  Lord  would  do  with 
him. 

About  a  year  after  this  interview,  I  visited  the 
place  again,  and  put  up  with  this  physician.  I 
found  him  keeping  house  in  good  style.  In  con- 
versation with  him,  I  brought  up  the  duty  of 


340  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

Christian  benevolence,  and  spoke  of  God's  faithful- 
ness to  fulfil  his  promises  to  the  liberal. 

He  told  me  he  knew  a  physician,  who,  the  last 
year,  gave  away  the  last  five  dollars  he  had  in  the 
world,  resolving  to  trust  the  Lord  for  the  future. 
During  the  next  summer,  while  the  cholera  raged 
in  the  country,  by  a  series  of  events  guided,  as  he 
believed,  by  the  providence  of  God,  most  of  the 
practice  was  thrown  into  the  hands  of  this  physi- 
cian, and  he  had  taken  more  than  $2500. 

I  told  him  I  knew  him  to  be  the  man  referred  to, 
and  that  I  had  been  keeping  watch  to  see  what  the 
Lord  would  do  with  him. 

Oh,  sir,  if  we  would,  all  of  us,  only  trust  in  the 
Lord,  and  more  abundantly  give  of  our  substance 
to  aid  in  spreading  the  gospel,  and  throw  open  our 
eyes  to  read  the  providence,  as  well  as  word  of 
God,  we  might  not  only  speedily  supply  the  whole 
world  with  Bibles,  but  our  hearts  would  overflow 
with  constant  gratitude  in  view  of  the  evident 
interpositions  of  Providence  in  our  behalf. 


THE  BROKEN  VOW. 

SOME  years  ago,  a  poor  lad  came  to  London,  in 
search  of  a  situation  as  errand-boy ;  he  made  many 
unsuccessful  applications,  and  was  on  the  eve  of 
returning  to  his  parents,  when  a  gentleman,  being 
prepossessed  by  his  appearance,  took  him  into  his 


REMARKABLE    I'llOVIDENCES.  341 

employment,  and  after  a  few  months,  bound  him 
apprentice.  He  so  conducted  himself  during  his 
apprenticeship,  as  to  gain  the  esteem  of  every  one 
who  knew  him  ;  and  after  he  had  served  his  time, 
his  master  advanced  a  capital  for  him  to  commence 
business.  He  retired  to  his  closet  with  a  heart 
glowing  with  gratitude  to  his  Maker  for  his  good- 
ness, and  there  solemnly  vowed  that  he  would 
devote  a  tenth  part  of  his  annual  income  to  the 
service  of  God.  The  first  year  his  donation 
amounted  to  ten  pounds,  which  he  gave  cheerfully, 
and  continued  to  do  so  till  it  amounted  to  £500. 
He  then  thought  that  was  a  great  deal  of  money  to 
give,  and  that  he  need  not  be  so  particular  as  to 
the  exact  amount :  that  year  he  lost  a  ship  and 
cargo,  to  the  value  of  £15,000,  by  a  storm !  This 
caused  him  to  repent,  and  he  again  commenced  his 
contributions  with  a  resolution  never  to  retract ;  he 
was  more  successful  every  year,  and  at  length  re- 
tired. He  then  devoted  a  tenth  part  of  his  annual 
income  for  several  years,  till  he  became  acquainted 
with  a  party  of  worldly  men,  who  by  degrees  drew 
him  aside  from  God :  he  discontinued  his  donations, 
made  large  speculations,  lost  everything,  and  be- 
came almost  as  poor  as  when  he  first  arrived  in 
London  as  an  errand-boy.  "  There  is,"  saith  Solo- 
mon, "that  scattereth,  and  yet  increaseth;  and 
there  is  that  withholdeth  more  than  is  meet,  but  it 
tendeth  to  poverty." 

29* 


342  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 


"WILL  YOU  TRUST  MY  FATHER?" 

AN  aged  Christian,  who  had  long  been  an  invalid, 
and  was  dependent  on  Christian  charity  for  her 
support,  on  sending  for  a  new  physician  who  had 
just  come  into  the  place,  and  united  with  the  same 
church  of  which  she  was  a  member,  said  to  him, 
"  Doctor,  I  wish  to  put  myself  under  your  care,  but 
I  cannot  do  it  unless  you  will  trust  my  Father" 
"  Well,  ma'am,"  replied  the  physician,  "  I  believe 
your  Father  is  rich;  I  may  safely  trust  Him!' 


THE  WIDOW  PROSNI. 

DURING  the  siege  of  the  Protestant  city  of  Ro- 
chelle,  under  Louis  XIII.  and  Cardinal  Richelieu, 
the  inhabitants  endured  great  miseries  before  they 
yielded  to  an  honorable  capitulation,  the  terms  of 
which  were,  however,  far  from  being  kept  by  their 
enemies.  One  of  the  many  touching  incidents  of 
the  siege  is  recorded  by  Meri vault.  "  He  gives  the 
names  of  the  parties  chiefly  concerned,"  says  Smed- 
ley ;  "  and  the  narrative  is  marked  by  an  air  of 
truth,  which  renders  its  authenticity  undoubted. 
During  the  height  of  calamity  among  the  Rochel- 
lois,  some  charitable  individuals,  who  had  pre- 
viously formed  secret  magazines,  relieved  their 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  343 

starving  brethren  without  blazoning  their  good 
deed.  The  relict  of  a  merchant,  named  Prosni, 
who  was  left  in  charge  of  four  orphan  children,  had 
liberally  distributed  her  stores,  while  anything  re- 
mained, among  her  less  fortunate  neighbors ;  and, 
whenever  she  was  reproached  with  profusion  and 
want  of  foresight  by  a  rich  sister-in-law  of  less  be- 
nevolent temper,  she  was  in  the  habit  of  replying, 
*  The  Lord  will  provide  for  us.'  At  length,  when 
her  stock  of  food  was  utterly  exhausted,  and  she 
was  spurned  with  taunts  from  the  door  of  her  rela- 
tive, she  returned  home  destitute,  broken-hearted, 
and  prepared  to  die,  together  with  her  children. 
But  it  seemed  as  if  the  mercies  once  displayed  at 
Zarephath  were  again  to  be  manifested ;  and  that 
there  was  still  a  barrel  and  a  cruse  in  reserve  for 
the  widow,  who,  humbly  confident  in  the  bounty 
of  heaven,  had  shared  her  last  morsel  with  the 
supplicant  in  affliction.  Her  little  ones  met  her  at 
the  threshold  with  cries  of  joy.  During  her  short 
absence,  a  stranger,  visiting  the  house,  had  deposited 
in  it  a  sack  of  flour ;  and  the  single  bushel  which 
it  contained  was  so  husbanded  as  to  preserve  their 
lives  till  the  close  of  the  siege.  Their  unknown 
benefactor  was  never  revealed ;  but  the  pious  mo- 
ther was  able  to  reply  to  her  unbelieving  kinswo- 
man, '  The  Lord  hath  provided  for  us.' >: 


344  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 


THE  SABBATH-KEEPING  ESQUIMAUX. 

IN  December,  says  Mr.  Barsoe,  the  missionary,  a 
pleasing  circumstance  occurred ;  it  showed  the  reve- 
rence of  our  Esquimaux  for  the  Lord's  day.  Owing 
to  the  state  of  the  weather  during  the  preceding 
month,  but  few  seals  had  been  taken ;  and  Satur- 
day, the  second  of  December,  was  the  first  day  on 
which  the  state  of  the  ice  permitted  our  people  to 
go  out  on  the  seal-hunt.  Considering  the  great 
uncertainty  which  ever  attends  this  occupation,  the 
inducement  to  pursue  it  on  the  following  day,  in 
the  hope  of  securing  a  better  provision  for  their 
families,  was  anything  but  slight.  We  were,  there- 
fore, not  a  little  pleased  to  learn  that  a  meeting  of 
fathers  of  families  had  been  convened  on  the  Satur- 
day evening,  and  that  it  had  been  resolved  that 
they  would  none  of  them  go  out  on  the  ensuing 
day  of  the  Lord,  but  would  spend  it  in  a  manner 
becoming  the  disciples  of  Christ,  who  were  invited 
thankfully  to  commemorate  his  coming  into  the 
world  to  save  sinners.  They  expressed  their  belief 
that  their  Heavenly  Father  was  able  to  grant  them 
on  Monday,  a  sufficiency  for  the  supply  of  their 
wants.  The  meeting  they  closed  with  the  singing 
of  some  verses,  during  which  they  felt  the  presence 
and  peace  of  their  Lord  and  Saviour.  Their  confi- 
dence in  God  was  not  put  to  shame.  On  Monday, 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  345 

the  weather  proved  so  favorable,  that  they  captured 
no  fewer  than  one  hundred  seals ;  but  in  the  course 
of  the  following  night  the  frost  became  so  intense 
as  to  close  all  the  bays  and  inlets,  and  to  preclude 
any  further  seal-catching. 


THE  HAPPY  MEETING. 

SOME  years  ago,  a  pious  widow  in  America,  who 
was  reduced  to  great  poverty,  had  just  placed  the 
last  smoked  herring  on  her  table,  to  supply  her 
hunger  and  that  of  her  children,  when  a  rap  was 
heard  at  the  door,  and  a  stranger  solicited  a  lodg- 
ing and  a  morsel  of  food,  saying,  that  he  had  not 
tasted  bread  for  twenty-four  hours.  The  widow 
did  not  hesitate,  but  offered  a  share  to  the  stranger, 
snving,  "  We  shall  not  be  forsaken,  or  suffer  deeper 
for  an  act  of  charity." 

The  traveller  drew  near  to  the  table ;  but  when 
he  saw  the  scanty  fare,  filled  with  astonishment  he 
said,  "  And  is  this  all  your  store  ?  And  do  you 
offer  a  share  to  one  you  do  not  know?  Then  I 
never  saw  charity  before  !  But,  madam,  do  you  not 
wrong  your  children,  by  giving  a  part  of  your  last 
morsel  to  a  stranger  ?"  "  Ah !"  said  the  widow, 
weeping,  "  I  have  a  boy,  a  darling  son,  somewhere 
on  the  face  of  the  wide  world,  unless  Heaven  has 
taken  him  away ;  and  I  only  act  towards  you  as  I 
would  that  others  should  act  towards  him.  God, 


346  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

who  sent  manna  from  heaven,  can  provide  for  us 
as  he  did  for  Israel ;  and  how  should  I  this  night 
offend  him,  if  my  son  should  be  a  wanderer,  desti- 
tute as  you,  and  he  should  have  provided  for  him 
a  home,  even  as  poor  as  this,  were  I  to  turn  you 
unrelieved  away !" 

The  widow  stopped,  and  the  stranger,  springing 
from  his  seat,  clasped  her  in  his  arms :  "  God,  in- 
deed, has  provided  just  such  a  home  for  your  wan- 
dering son,  and  has  given  him  wealth  to  reward 
the  goodness  of  his  benefactress.  My  mother  !  0, 
my  mother !" 

It  was,  indeed,  her  long-lost  son,  returned  from 
India.  He  had  chosen  this  way  to  surprise  his 
family,  and  certainly  not  very  wisely ;  but  never 
was  surprise  more  complete,  or  more  joyful.  He 
was  able  to  make  the  family  comfortable,  which  he 
immediately  did  :  the  mother  living  for  some  years 
longer,  in  the  enjoyment  of  plenty. 


THE  WIDOW'S  COMFORT. 

THE  writer  would  beg  leave  to  present  the  fol- 
lowing brief  statement  of  facts,  which  exhibit,  in 
a  striking  manner,  the  effects  which  the  lively  re- 
ception of  the  glorious  and  all-important  truths  of 
religion  produce  in  the  soul. 

A  Sunday  school  teacher  who  esteems  it  not  only 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCE?.  347 

her  duty  but  her  happiness,  to  visit  frequently  the 
scholars  committed  to  her  care,  was  led  to  the 
dwelling  of  a  poor  widow,  the  mother  of  four  child- 
ren, with  whose  appearance  she  became  much  in- 
terested. She  was  still  young,  and  was  possessed 
of  that  peculiar  softness  and  propriety  of  demeanor 
which  never  fails  to  command  attention,  while  the 
narrative  of  her  desolate  and  affecting  situation, 
and  the  supports  with  which  she  was  sustained  and 
comforted,  filled  the  mind  of  her  young  visitor  with 
the  mingled  emotions  of  sympathy  and  congratula- 
tion. The  widow,  Mrs.  C.,  had  been  married  early 
in  life,  and  lived  in  independence  and  comfort  for 
several  years.  She  was  attached  to  her  husband, 
devoted  to  her  children,  and  employed  her  time  in 
a  diligent  attention  to  her  domestic  avocations,  ex- 
cept that  occasionally  when  the  weather  was  fine, 
she  took  a  walk  to  the  church,  which  was  not  far 
distant. 

About  four  years  ago,  her  husband's  business  led 
him  to  the  West  India  islands,  where  he  was  soon 
seized  with  a  contagious  fever,  and  died  in  a  few 
days,  leaving  his  affairs  in  a  confused  and  unsettled 
state.  When  they  were  arranged,  and  all  his  en- 
gagements met,  there  was  nothing  left  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  widow,  who  saw  herself  cast  penniless 
on  the  wide  world,  surrounded  by  her  children,  with 
nothing  to  relieve  the  darkness  and  gloom  which 
settled  thick  upon  her.  Agitation  and  grief  pro- 
duced a  lingering  sickness,  which  confined  her  to 


348  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

her  bed  for  many  weeks,  during  which  time  those 
articles  of  furniture  which  had  been  spared  to  her 
were  one  by  one  disposed  of,  to  procure  the  neces- 
sary provisions  for  the  family. 

"  It  was  now  (to  adopt  Mrs.  C.'s  own  words)  that 
I  was  made  to  see  the  transitory  and  fleeting  nature 
of  all  earthly  possessions  and  enjoyments.  Those 
which  I  had  relied  upon,  to  which  I  had  clung  as 
my  sole  dependence,  were  fled  for  ever.  The  world 
was  to  me  a  barren  wilderness,  a  desolate  waste, 
with  nought  to  console  or  relieve  me.  I  turned  my 
eye  upward,  but  thence  I  could  derive  no  comfort. 
The  words  of  God  himself  were  repeated  to  me : 
1  Leave  thy  fatherless  children,  I  will  preserve  them 
alive — and  let  thy  widows  trust  in  me.'  tkit  I  could 
not  trust  in  God  ;  I  did  not  Imow  him.  I  had  lived 
without  God  in  the  world,  and  was  ignorant  of  the 
way  in  which  to  seek  him.  I  began  to  view  my- 
self in  the  character  of  a  sinner,  exposed  to  the 
wrath  of  a  provoked  and  neglected  God ;  and  was 
convinced  if  I  continued  in  that  state,  I  could  never 
hope  for  peace,  either  here  or  in  the  world  to  come. 
My  earnest  inquiry  now  was,  '  What  shall  I  do  to 
be  saved  ?'  Gradually  the  Gospel  plan  of  salvation 
through  faith  in  a  crucified  Redeemer,  was  dis- 
closed ;  and  as  one  guilty  and  perishing  I  came  unto 
Jesus,  and  besought  that  his  free  mercy  might  be 
extended  to  me,  and  his  Spirit  sent  to  purify  and 
renew  my  depraved  and  sinful  heart.  That  mercy 
has,  I  trust,  been  extended;  I  receive  my  pardon 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  349 

as  the  purchase  of  the  cross — and  I  am  now  enabled 
to  look  up  to  God,  and  to  trust  in  him,  as  a  recon- 
ciled Father  in  Jesus  Christ."  She  further  added, 
"  I  bless  and  praise  the  Lord  for  his  chastening 
hand ;  for  if  my  path  had  been  smooth  and  pros- 
perous, I  should  probably  have  continued  a  stranger 
to  God,  and  should  have  brought  up  my  children 
to  live  for  this  world  only." 

It  was  astonishing  to  witness  the  great  change 
wrought  in  her  feelings  and  conduct  by  the  adop- 
tion of  these  new  views  and  sentiments.  She  was 
no  longer  oppressed  with  that  weight  of  care  and 
anxiety  which  before  had  bowed  her  to  the  earth — 
but  was  enabled,  with  filial  confidence,  to  cast  her- 
self and  her  children  on  the  protecting  care  of  him 
who  is  emphatically  "  the  Father  of  the  fatherless, 
and  the  widow's  friend ;"  and  her  declaration  to  the 
young  lady,  who  was  now  for  the  first  time  sitting 
with  her,  was,  "  I  have  found  all  his  promises  sure 
— I  have  been  provided  for  from  day  to  day,  in  a 
remarkable  manner ;  for  often,  when  my  stock  has 
been  quite  exhausted,  and  I  had  no  resource  left,  I 
have  gone  to  God,  and  having  made  my  wants 
known  to  him,  he  has  not  only  given  me  peace  of 
mind,  and  strong  faith  in  him,  but  has  always  raised 
up  some  friend  whom  he  has  sent  as  his  messenger 
to  supply  my  need.  So  that  although  our  fare  is 
of  the  simplest  kind,  and  we  have  sometimes  had 
no  breakfast,  sometimes  no  dinner,  yet  we  have 

30 


350  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

never  passed  a  whole  day  without  seeing  the  hand 
of  God  stretched  out  to  provide  for  us." 

In  the  course  of  a  conversation  which  I  afterwards 
had  with  her,  I  was  much  delighted,  and  I  trust  not 
a  little  profited,  by  some  remarks  of  Mrs.  C.,  to  the 
following  effect : — "  I  know  by  experience  that  hap- 
piness is  not  confined  to  the  splendid  circles  of  the 
great,  nor  to  the  profusely  covered  tables  of  the/ich; 
for  when  God  wisely  withholds  this  world's  goods, 
he  bestows  those  dispositions  of  mind,  and  those 
imvard  comforts,  which  abundantly  compensate  for 
them.  I  remember  that  one  day  I  had  nothing  in 
the  house  but  a  little  meal,  which  I  put  over  the 
fire  to  boil  for  our  dinner ;  then  I  looked  about  for 
some  salt,  but  there  was  none  to  be  found.  In  a 
moment  of  despondency  I  sat  down,  and  thought 
my  lot  uncommonly  severe — not  to  have  a  little 
salt  to  season  our  meal  with,  and  no  means  to  obtain 
any  !  I  took  up  my  Bible,  which  has  been  a  source 
of  unspeakable  comfort  in  many  a  trying  hour, 
when  these  words  caught  my  attention, — 'Jesus 
went  with  his  disciples  through  the  corn  fields,  and 
his  disciples  plucked  the  ears  of  corn,  and  did  eat, 
rubbing  them  in  their  hands.'  When  I  reflected 
on  the  privations  and  hardships  which  my  blessed 
Lord  cheerfully  endured  for  my  sake,  my  discon- 
tented and  repining  thoughts  fled  in  an  instant. 
Gratitude,  love,  and  joy,  took  possession  of  my 
breast.  I  gathered  my  children  together,  and  we 
partook  with  thankfulness  of  that  plain  repast,  for, 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  351 

receiving  it  as  the  gift  of  God,  and  knowing  it  to  be 
better  than  I  deserved,  it  was  to  me  sweeter,  and 
yielded  more  satisfaction,  than  the  most  costly 
dainties  which  wealth  can  purchase." 

It  was  the  sense  of  the  favor  of  God,  a  lively  per- 
ception of  his  excellence  and  perfection,  his  love 
shed  abroad  through  her  heart,  his  Spirit  rectifying 
and  elevating  her  nature,  which  had  transformed 
this  woman  from  a  depressed  and  unhappy,  to  a 
thankful  and  joyful  being,  even  in  this  life;  and 
caused  her  to  look  to  scenes  beyond,  with  a  "  hope 
full  of  immortality ;"  and  thus  constrained  her  to 
adopt,  with  much  feeling,  the  poet's  words  : — 

"  Give  what  thou  wilt,  without  Thee  we  are  poor ; 
And  with  Thee  rich,  take  what  thou  wilt  away." 


THE  FRENCH  PASTOR. 

THE  above  anecdotes  remind  us  of  the  case  of  a 
living  French  pastor,  eminent  as  an  author  in  his 
own  country,  and  well  known  to  a  large  portion  of 
the  religious  wrorld  in  ours.  He  had  no  income  but 
the  scanty  stipend  of  a  pastor,  and  upon  this  had  to 
maintain  eleven  children.  His  poverty  was  deep, 
his  difficulties  constant ;  but  his  heart  was  ever  full 
of  cheerful  gratitude,  and  his  hand  ever  open  to 
those  who  were  poorer  than  himself.  His  friends 
say  that  on  more  than  one  occasion  he  has  been 


352  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

left  without  a  single  sous,  or  a  morsel  of  bread  for 
his  children.  Meal-time  coming,  his  wife  told  him 
they  could  have  no  dinner.  He  replied,  "  Yes,  we 
shall  dine  as  usual :  lay  the  cloth."  It  was  objected, 
that  to  lay  a  cloth  was  very  useless,  when  there  was 
nothing  to  place  upon  it. 

"Lay  it,"  he  insisted,  "lay  it,  just  as  usual: 
the  Lord  will  provide."  The  cloth  was  laid,  and 
seemed  for  a  while  to  mock  faith  by  its  bareness ; 
but  a  knock  was  heard,  and  the  family  soon  sur- 
rounded a  board  which  they  all  felt  the  Lord  him- 
self had  spread. 


REMARKABLE  ANSWER  TO  PRAYER. 

BEFORE  the  birth  of  her  third  child,  August  17th, 
1815,  Mrs.  Mather,  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  Joseph 
Benson,  became  so  reduced  that  her  friends  enter- 
tained many  fears  for  her  safety.  She  gave  birth, 
however,  to  a  fine  boy,  arid  gradually  recovered  her 
strength.  But  a  lameness,  with  which  she  had  long 
been  afflicted,  continued  unrelieved.  Mr.  Benson 
was,  as  might  be  expected,  much  concerned  to  wit- 
ness his  daughter's  infirmity  from  year  to  year,  and 
ceased  not  to  present  her  case  before  the  Lord,  en- 
deavoring to  encourage  her  to  rely  on  the  Divine 
promises,  as  being  all  yea  and  amen  in  Christ  Jesus. 
On  the  Sunday  previous  to  Mrs.  Mather's  confine- 
ment, his  mind  was  much  comforted  in  hearing  the 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  353 

late  Rev.  Samuel  Lear,  whom  he  denominated  "  an 
excellent  young  preacher,"  deliver  a  "  very  instruc- 
tive" sermon  on  our  Lord's  words,  "  Verily,  verily  I 
say  unto  you,  whatsoever  ye  shall  ask  the  Father  in 
my  name,  he  will  give  it  you :"  and  his  "  faith  had 
been  increased  with  regard  to  Ann."  That  his  hope 
was  not  in  vain,  nor  his  faith  unheeded,  as  to  her 
unhappy  lameness,  an  extract  from  his  journal  will 
fully  manifest.  I  wish  to  remark,  says  Mr.  Samuel 
Benson,  that  I  was  myself  present  on  the  occasion, 
and  will  bear  witness  to  the  correctness  of  the  state- 
ment in  every  part.  The  Rev.  James  Macdonald, 
who  was  also  present,  observes  in  his  life  of  Mr. 
Benson,  "  All  believed  that  the  power  to  walk, 
which  she  received  in  an  instant,  was  communi- 
cated by  an  immediate  act  of  Omnipotence." 

"  Oct.  4th. — This  evening  the  Lord  has  shown  us 
an  extraordinary  instance  of  his  love  and  power. 
My  dear  Ann,  though  safely  delivered  of  a  fine  and 
healthy  child,  and  restored  in  a  great  measure  with 
respect  to  her  appetite  and  digestion,  yet  remained 
without  any  use  of  either  of  her  feet,  and  indeed 
without  the  least  feeling  of  them,  or  ability  to  walk 
a  step,  or  lay  the  least  weight  upon  them,  nor  had 
she  had  any  use  of  them  for  upward  of  twelve 
months.  I  was  very  much  afraid  that  the  sinews 
would  be  contracted,  and  that  she  would  lose  the 
use  of  them  for  ever.  We  prayed,  however,  inces- 
santly that  this  might  not  be  the  case ;  but  that  it 
would  please  the  Lord,  for  the  sake  especially  of  her 
23 


.}f)4  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

three  little  children,  to  restore  her.  This  day  being 
appointed  for  the  baptizing  of  the  child,  a  part  of  my 
family  and  some  pious  friends  went  to  drink  tea  with 
her,  and  Mr.  Mather  her  husband ;  Mr.  Mather  bring- 
ing her  down  in  his  arms  into  the  dining-room.  After 
tea  I  spoke  a  little  on  the  certainty  of  God's  hearing 
the  prayers  of  his  faithful  people,  and  repeated  many 
of  his  declarations  and  promises  to  that  purpose.  I 
also  enlarged  on  Christ's  being  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  for  ever,  and  still  both  able  and  willing 
to  give  relief  to  his  distressed  and  healing  to  his  af- 
flicted people ;  that  though  he  had  doubtless  done 
many  of  his  miracles  of  healing  chiefly  to  prove  him- 
self to  be  the  Messiah,  yet  that  he  did  not  do  them 
for  that  end  only ;  but  also  to  grant  relief  to  human 
misery,  out  of  his  great  compassion  for  suffering 
mankind ;  and  that  not  a  few  of  his  other  miracles 
of  mercy  he  had  wrought  principally  or  only  for 
this  latter  purpose ;  and  that  he  was  still  full  of 
compassion  for  the  miserable.  I  then  said,  '  Ann, 
before  we  go  to  prayer,  we  will  sing  the  hymn 
which  was  so  consolatory  to  your  mother ;'  and  I 
gave  out — 

'  Thy  arm,  Lord,  is  not  shortened  now, 

It  wants  not  now  the  power  to  save  ; 
Still  present  with  thy  people,  thou 

Bearest  them  through  life's  disparted  wave. 

By  death  and  hell  pursued  in  vain, 

To  thee  the  ransomed  seed  shall  come  ; 
Shouting,  their  heavenly  Sion  gain, 

And  pass  through  death  triumphant  home. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  355 

The  pain  of  life  shall  there  he  o'er, 

The  anguish  and  distracting  care  ; 
There  sighing  grief  shall  weep  no  more, 

And  sin  shall  never  enter  there. 

Where  pure  essential  joy  is  found, 
The  Lord's  redeemed  their  heads  shall  raise, 

With  everlasting  gladness  crowned, 

And  filled  with  love,  and  lost  in  praise/ 

We  then  kneeled  down  to  pray;  and  Ann  took  the 
child  to  give  it  the  breast,  that  it  might  not  disturb 
us  with  crying,  while  we  were  engaged  in  prayer. 
I  prayed  first,  and  then  Mr.  Macdonald ;  all  pre- 
sent joining  sincerely  and  fervently  in  our  suppli- 
cations. We  pleaded  in  prayer  the  Lord's  promises, 
and  especially  that  he  had  said,  that  whatever  two 
or  three  of  his  people  should  agree  to  ask,  it  should 
be  done  for  them :  Matt,  xviii.  19.  Immediately 
on  our  rising  from  our  knees,  Ann  beckoned  to  the 
nurse  to  take  the  child,  and  then  instantly  rose  up, 
and  said,  '  I  can  walk,  I  feel  I  can ;'  and  proceeded 
half  over  the  room ;  when  her  husband,  afraid  she 
should  fall,  stepped  to  her,  saying,  '  My  dear  Ann, 
•what  are  you  about?'  She  put  him  off  with  her 
hands,  saying,  '  I  don't  need  you ;  I  can  walk 
alone ;'  and  then  walked  three  times  over  the  floor : 
after  which,  going  to  a  corner,  she  kneeled  down 
(not  having  been  able  to  kneel  for  more  than  twelve 
months),  and  said,  '0,  let  us  give  God  thanks!' 
We  kneeled  down,  and  gave  thanks ;  Ann  continu- 
ing on  her  knees  all  the  time,  at  least  twenty 
minutes.  She  then  came  to  me,  and  with  a  flood 


356  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

of  tears  threw  her  arras  about  my  neck ;  and  then 
did  the  same  first  to  one  of  her  sisters,  and  then 
to  the  other,  and  afterwards  to  Mrs.  Dickinson, 
&c. ;  every  one  in  the  room  shedding  tears  of  grati- 
tude and  joy.  She  then  desired  her  husband's  bro- 
ther to  come  up  stairs ;  and  when  he  entered  the 
room,  she  cried  out,  '  Adam,  I  can  walk !'  and,  to 
show  him  that  she  could,  immediately  walked  over 
the  floor  and  back  again.  It  was  indeed  the  most 
affecting  season  I  ever  witnessed  in  my  life.  May 
the  Lord  confirm  the  wonder  he  has  done,  and 
restore  her  strength  more  and  more!  She  after- 
ward, without  any  help,  walked  up  stairs  into  her 
lodging-room,  and  with  her  husband  kneeling  down, 
joined  in  prayer  and  praise.  I  afterward  learned 
from  her  the  following  particulars : — That  when 
she  was  brought  down  into  the  dining-room,  a  little 
stool  was  put  under  her  feet,  but  which  she  felt  no 
more  than  if  her  feet  had  been  dead.  While  we 
were  singing  the  hymn,  she  conceived  faith  that 
the  Lord  would  heal  her ;  began  to  feel  the  stool, 
and  pushed  it  away ;  set  her  feet  on  the  floor,  and 
felt  that.  While  we  prayed  she  felt  a  persuasion 
she  could  walk,  and  was  half  inclined  to  rise  up 
with  the  child  in  her  arms;  but  thinking  to  do 
that  would  be  thought  rash,  she  delayed  till  we  had 
done  praying;  and  then  immediately  rose  up,  as 
above  related.  Blessed  be  the  Lord  for  his  good- 
ness !  0  that  we  may  praise  him,  and  live  to  his 
glory!" 


REMAHKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  357 


A  CLERGYMAN'S  WIDOW. 

THERE  lived  in  the  east  of  Scotland  a  pious  cler- 
gyman, who  had  presided  for  a  number  of  years 
over  a  small  but  respectable  congregation.  In  the 
midst  of  his  active  career  of  usefulness  he  was  sud- 
denly removed  by  death,  leaving  behind  him  a  wife 
and  a  number  of  helpless  children.  The  small 
stipend  allowed  him  by  his  congregation  had  been 
barely  sufficient  to  meet  the  current  expenses  of 
his  family,  and  at  his  death  no  visible  means  were 
left  for  their  support.  The  death  of  her  husband 
preyed  deeply  on  the  heart  of  the  poor  afflicted 
widow,  while  the  dark  prospect  wrhich  the  future 
presented  filled  her  mind  with  the  most  gloomy 
apprehensions.  By  her  lonely  fireside  she  sat  the 
morning  after  her  sad  bereavement,  lamenting  her 
forlorn  and  destitute  condition,  when  her  little  son, 
a  boy  of  five  years  of  age,  entered  the  room.  See- 
ing the  deep  distress  of  his  mother,  he  stole  softly 
to  her  side,  and  placing  his  little  hand  in  hers, 
looked  wistfully  into  her  face,  and  said,  "  Mother, 
mother,  is  God  dead  ?"  Soft  as  the  gentle  whisper 
of  an  angel  did  the  simple  accent  of  the  dear  boy 
fall  upon  the  ear  of  the  disconsolate  and  almost 
heart-broken  mother.  A  gleam  of  heavenly  radi- 
ance lighted  up,  for  a  moment,  her  pale  features. 
Then  snatching  up  her  little  boy,  and  pressing  him 
fondly  to  her  bosom,  she  exclaimed,  "  No,  no,  my 


358  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

son,  God  is  not  dead !  He  lives,  and  has  promised 
to  be  a  father  to  the  fatherless,  a  husband  to  the 
widow.  His  promises  are  sure  and  steadfast,  and 
upon  them  I  will  firmly  and  implicitly  rely."  Her 
tears  were  dried,  and  her  murmurings  for  ever 
hushed.  The  event  proved  that  her  confidence  was 
not  misplaced.  The  congregation  over  whom  her 
husband  worthily  presided  generously  settled  upon 
her  a  handsome  annuity,  by  which  she  was  enabled 
to  support  her  family,  not  only  comfortably,  but 
even  genteelly.  The  talents  of  her  sons,  as  they 
advanced  in  years,  soon  brought  them  into  notice, 
and  finally  procured  them  high  and  honorable  sta- 
tions in  society. 


A  SPECIAL  PROVIDENCE. 

FOR  the  purpose  of  attending  the  Genesee  Annual 
Conference  at  Lundy's  Lane,  U.  C.,  some  years 
since,  I  set  out  in  company  with  the  Rev.  Charles 
Northrop,  and  took  a  passage  in  the  Ontario  steam- 
boat at  Ogdensburgh,  destined  for  Lewiston,  Niagara 
county,  the  distance  of  three  hundred  miles,  in 
which  we  had  a  very  pleasant  and  interesting  pas- 
sage. We  returned  in  one  of  the  common  vessels 
of  the  lake,  in  company  with  the  Rev.  William 
Case,  and  Rev.  Truman  Dixon. 

For  two  days  we  were  moored  in  front  of  Little 
York,  having  no  wind  but  a  few  land  breezes.  But 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  359 

on  the  third  evening  an  unexpected  gale  filled  our 
sails,  and  the  breeze  increasing  to  a  mighty  wind, 
we  sailed  down  the  lake  with  great  velocity.  But 
in  the  great  commotion  of  the  waters  we  anticipated 
no  disastrous  event.  The  commotion  of  the  waters, 
however,  under  the  quick  succeeding  gales,  and  the 
struggles  of  the  hurried  vessel,  together  with  the 
novelty  of  the  scene,  which  was  heightened  by  the 
gradual  approach  of  darkness,  forbade  my  retreat 
to  the  cabin  to  join  my  companions  in  the  slumbers 
of  the  night,  consequently  I  remained  on  deck  in- 
dulging myself  in  serious  meditation  until  nearly 
midnight,  when  my  attention  was  called  to  a  dis- 
tant light,  nearly  in  front  of  us.  I  immediately 
inquired  of  the  captain  if  we  were  not  approaching 
some  vessel.  He  said  he  thought  it  must  be  the 
great  Canadian  steamboat,  which  he  called  the 
King  of  the  Lake,  which,  in  our  late  struggle  with 
England,  was  a  ship  of  war,  mounting  seventy-four 
guns ;  but,  since  its  close,  hacl  been  converted  into 
a  steamboat,  and  was  now  freighting  up  and  down 
the  lake.  He  said  he  would  direct  our  vessel  so  as 
to  give  us  a  fair  prospect  of  King  George  as  he 
passed  by.  I  asked  what  distance  he  thought  it 
was  from  us  ;  he  said  eight  or  ten  miles.  I  suppose 
the  deception  was  owing  to  the  peculiar  state  of  the 
atmosphere,  for,  to  our  unutterable  surprise,  the 
next  surge  rolled  us  furiously  against  the  unyield- 
ing monster ;  why  it  did  not  at  once  bury  us  in  the 
waters  beneath,  none  but  an  Almighty  Providence 


360  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

can  tell ;  the  first  complaint  was  a  blow  and  a  word ; 
by  which  he  broke  off  our  boom,  stove  in  the  bow, 
tore  away  our  anchors,  and  stripped  every  sail  from 
the  masts,  which  left  nothing  but  a  trembling 
wreck.  It,  however,  fastened  itself  by  some  means 
to  the  great  anchor  chains  of  the  steamboat,  so  that 
it  remained  beating  itself  against  the  side  of  its 
unfeeling  conqueror. 

In  the  mean  time  the  screams  in  the  cabin,  to- 
gether with  those  in  the  forecastle,  mingling  with 
the  rattling  of  the  breaking  crockery  and  glass,  and 
the  mighty  cracking  of  the  vessel,  keeping  pace 
with  the  horrid  oaths  and  blasphemies  from  those 
on  the  steamboat,  rendered  it  a  scene  horrible  be- 
yond description.  I  however  found  myself  on  the 
deck  of  the  steamboat,  which  w^as  the  first  of  my 
recollection  after  the  collision,  which  I  have  ever 
deemed  little  short  of  a  miracle,  it  being  from  ten 
to  fifteen  feet  from  the  deck  of  our  vessel  up  to  the 
railing  of  the  steamboat.  Every  soul  on  the  wreck 
were  making  their  escape  as  fast  as  possible;  and 
although  the  Canadian  captain,  like  an  unfeeling 
tyrant,  was  wishing  them  at  the  bottom  of  the  lake, 
&c.,  he  was  at  the  same  time  giving  direction  for 
assistance  to  those  below.  The  reverend  gentlemen 
were  hurrying  to  secure  their  baggage,  and  handing 
it  to  me,  as  I  had  suspended  myself  for  that  pur- 
pose, as  well  as  to  aid  their  persons  in  escaping  the 
wreck. 

All  having  made  a  safe  retreat  to  the  steamboat, 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  361 

excepting  the  captain  and  Brother  Case,  who  were 
detained  a  little,  I  began  to  hope  that  all  would  be 
well,  when  at  this  dreadful  moment  the  wreck  broke 
loose  from  the  steamboat,  and  the  troubled  waters 
appeared  to  be  furiously  engaged  to  separate  the 
two  vessels.  The  unfortunate  individuals,  behold- 
ing their  critical  situation,  called  aloud  for  assist- 
ance, but  the  forbidding  waters  rendered  it  im- 
practicable. I  stood  for  a  few  minutes  with  my 
spirits  paralyzed,  catching  the  last  appearance  of 
the  departing  wreck,  containing  one  of  the  worthies 
of  the  nineteenth  century,  and  conveying  its  con- 
tents, as  I  supposed,  to  a  watery  grave.  Repeated 
calls  from  the  wreck,  which  seemed  to  penetrate 
the  very  heavens,  were  to  me  like  the  last  agonies 
of  despairing  hope.  I  retired  a  little  to  resolve  on 
the  last  alternative,  which  was  to  try  to  save  them 
by  means  of  one  of  the  small  boats ;  and  feeling  an 
uncommon  witness  of  the  Divine  approbation,  I  re- 
solved to  make  an  appeal  to  the  humanity  of  the 
captain  for  one  of  his  small  boats,  in  which  to  find 
the  wreck  and  aid  those  unfortunate  men.  But 
upon  the  proposition  he  poured  upon  me  a  volley 
of  oaths  and  anathemas  too  horrid  to  relate.  I  told 
him  I  had  a  friend  on  that  wreck,  whose  life  was 
too  useful  to  the  world  to  be  lost.  But,  said  he, 
would  you  risk  your  own  to  save  his  ?  I  told  him 
I  would.  He  said  he  wished  he  could  persuade 
himself  to  believe  he  had  such  a  friend.  I  said, 
Perhaps  you  are  a  stranger  to  that  principle  which 

31 


302  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

unites  the  missionaries  of  the  cross  of  Jesus.  Ah  ! 
said  he,  I  have  always  understood  that  these 
Methodists  like  each  other  better  than  all  the 
world  besides.  But,  said  he,  my  small  boat  cannot 
live  on  this  sea  a  minute,  therefore  you  had  better 
make  yourself  contented.  I  told  him  nothing  but 
an  absolute  refusal  would  silence  my  intercession  ; 
consequently  he  consented ;  and  the  arrangement 
being  made,  I  said  to  Brother  Dixon,  All  will  be 
well.  Yes,  said  he,  if  we  stay  where  we  are;  and, 
to  my  utter  astonishment,  not  one  of  the  whole 
crew  or  of  the  passengers  would  join  me,  except  a 
colored  man  and  one  other,  who  did  not  seem  to 
care  whether  he  lived  or  died. 

Under  these  embarrassments  they  let  us  down 
into  the  boat,  and  wre  shoved  off.  Knowing  that 
much  depended  on  every  blow  of  the  oar  and 
paddle,  I  took  the  stern,  and  put  the  colored  man 
to  the  oars,  and  the  other  on  the  bottom  of  the 
boat.  At  first  my  faith  well  nigh  failed  me.  The 
lake  boiled  like  a  cauldron,  and  our  little  craft 
trembled  to  its  centre.  These,  together  with  the 
darkness  of  the  night,  and  the  howlings  of  many 
waters,  rendered  it  a  scene  not  easily  to  be  for- 
gotten. To  return  to  the  steamboat  was  impossible, 
and  the  uncertainty  attending  the  wreck  called  up 
some  reflections  to  which  I  had  hitherto  been  a 
stranger:  the  steamboat  had  now  just  collected  its 
steam,  and  was  leaving  us. 

We  were  now  on  the  broad  lake,  in  a  common 


HK.MAHKABLK  PROVIDENCES.  363 

skiff,  in  a  dark  night,  fifty  miles  at  least  from  any 
port.  We  continued  our  direct  course  for  half  an 
hour  or  more,  when  I  thought  I  discovered  a  small 
light,  and  supposing  it  to  be  upon  the  wreck,  we 
pursued  it  with  all  diligence  until  we  arrived  within 
call  of  the  vessel,  and  gave  them  a  salute  which 
was  returned  with  joy. 

With  some  difficulty  we  reached  the  deck,  and 
made  our  small  boat  fast  to  the  stern.  I  inquired, 
"  What  is  the  prospect  ?"  "  Uncertain,"  was  the 
reply.  My  next  inquiry  was,  what  had  been  their 
feelings  since  they  left  the  steamboat;  they  said 
they  had  entertained  some  hope  that  relief  would 
be  afforded  by  some  means  from  the  boat;  but 
when  they  raised  their  steam  and  went  on,  the  last 
remnant  of  hope  vanished,  and  the  only  alternative 
was  to  do  all  they  could  to  preserve  the  wreck;  and 
though  human  probability  was  against  them,  yet, 
said  Brother  Case,  I  have  not  entertained  a  doubt 
but  God  would  provide  means  for  our  escape,  con- 
sequently my  mind  has  been  as  calm  as  though  I 
had  been  in  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord.  He  said 
he  had  an  impression  for  a  day  or  two  past  that  he 
should  be  called  to  some  uncommon  trial  of  his 
faith,  but  by  the  overruling  providence  and  grace 
of  God  he  should  come  out  as  gold  tried  in  the  fire. 
Upon  which  he  put  his  arms  around  me,  and  said, 
"  Brother,  be  of  good  cheer,  we  shall  get  safe  to 
land."  We  then  went  to  work  at  the  pumps,  and 
to  clearing  the  deck  as  fast  as  possible ;  and  in  the 


364  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

space  of  two  hours  we  were  able  to  raise  the  main 
sail  about  half  way  up  the  mast,  which  gave  such 
an  impetus  to  the  vessel  as  to  take  us  on  at  the 
rate  of  eight  or  ten  miles  an  hour. 

We  still  considered  ourselves  in  great  danger; 
for  we  knew  if  the  vessel  outlived  the  sea  we  must 
pass  a  certain  chain  of  islands  called  the  Ducks ; 
and  how  near  we  had  approached  them  was  mere 
conjecture;  consequently,  the  fear  of  dashing 
against  some  one  of  them,  or  unfortunately  strik- 
ing the  wrong  channel,  was,  through  the  remainder 
of  the  night,  a  source  of  constant  anxiety.  But 
when  the  long-wished-for  morning  dawned,  we 
found  we  had  not  yet  arrived  in  sight  of  the  much 
dreaded  islands.  A  moment's  reflection  on  what  we 
had  passed  the  preceding  night,  together  with  our 
present  prospects,  humbled  us  in  the  dust  before 
our  great  Benefactor.  We  retired  to  the  cabin,  and 
poured  out  our  souls  in  thanksgiving  to  that  Being 
who  had  sustained  us  even  in  the  seventh  trouble. 

The  majesty  of  this  morning  transcended  any- 
thing I  had  ever  witnessed.  I  thought  I  could  fully 
comprehend  the  saying  of  the  inspired  psalmist, 
"  If  I  take  the  wings  of  the  morning  and  dwell  in 
the  uttermost  part  of  the  sea,  even  there  shall  thy 
hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me." 
The  lake  presented  vast  cqlumns  of  moving  moun- 
tains and  heaving  valleys,  over  which  we  were 
passing,  without  any  variety  of  change  or  prospect. 
The  wind  had  ceased  its  roaring,  and  with  a  strong 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  305 

and  steady  breeze  cleared  away  the  fogs  and  vapors 
of  the  morning.  We  now  had  but  little  to  fear, 
except  the  lulling  of  the  wind  into  a  calm,  or  its 
changing  to  an  opposite  direction ;  but  realizing 
no  farther  disaster,  we  happily  came  to  anchor  at 
Cape  Vincent,  where  the  good  people  received  us 
courteously.  Yours,  in  much  love, 

TIMOTHY  GOODWIN. 


THE  POWER  OF  PRAYER. 

IN  his  "Rural  Life  of  England,"  Howitt  cites 
the  following  instance  of  heroism  and  calm  pre- 
sence of  mind,  inspired  by  Christian  faith,  which 
is  a  striking  illustration  of  the  power  of  prayer  to 
sustain  the  courage  of  the  weakest  believer  in  the 
most  trying  circumstances  : — 

In  one  of  the  thinly-peopled  dales  of  the  Peak 
of  Derbyshire  stood  a  lone  house,  far  from  neigh- 
bors, inhabited  by  a  farmer  and  his  wife.  Such  is, 
or  at  least  was  wont  to  be,  the  primitive  simplicity 
of  this  district,  that  it  was  usual  for  persons  to  go 
to  bed  without  taking  any  precautions  to  bolt  or 
bar  the  doors,  in  the  event  of  any  of  the  inmates 
not  having  come  home  at  the  usual  hour  of  retiring 
to  rest.  This  was  frequently  the  practice  with  the 
family  in  question,  especially  on  market  days,  when 
the  farmers,  having  occasion  to  go  to  the  nearest 
town,  often  did  not  return  until  late. 
31* 


3GG  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

One  ^veiling,  when  the  husband  was  absent,  the 
wife,  being  up  stairs,  heard  some  one  open  the  door 
and  enter  the  house.  Supposing  it  to  be  her  hus- 
band, she  lay  awake,  expecting  him  to  come  up 
stairs.  As  the  usual  time  elapsed  and  he. did  not 
come,  she  rose  and  went  down,  when,  to  her  terror 
and  astonishment,  she  saw  a  sturdy  fellow  search- 
ing the  house  for  plunder. 

At  first  view  of  him,  as  she  afterward  said,  she 
felt  ready  to  drop ;  but  being  naturally  courageous, 
and  of  a  deeply  religious  disposition,  she  soon  reco- 
vered sufficient  self-possession  to  suppress  the  cry 
which  was  rising  to  her  lips,  to  walk  with  apparent 
firmness  to  a  chair  which  stood  on  one  side  of  the 
fireplace,  and  seat  herself  in  it.  The  marauder 
immediately  seated  himself  in  another  chair,  which 
stood  opposite,  and  fixed  his  eyes  upon  her  with  a 
most  savage  expression. 

Her  courage  was  almost  spent;  but,  recollecing 
herself,  she  put  up  a  prayer  to  the  Almighty  for 
protection,  and  threw  herself  upon  his  providence, 
for  "  vain  was  the  help  of  man."  She  immediately 
felt  her  courage  revive,  and  looked  steadfastly  at 
the  ruffian,  who  now  drew  a  large  clasp-knife  from 
his  pocket,  opened  it,  and,  with  a  murderous  ex- 
pression in  his  eyes,  appeared  ready  to  spring  upon 
her. 

She,  however,  showed  no  visible  emotion,  but 
continued  to  pray  earnestly,  and  to  look  upon  the 
man  with  calm  seriousness.  He  arose,  glanced  first 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  3C7 

at  her,  then  at  the  knife;  again  he  seemed  to  hesi- 
tate, and  wiped  his  weapon  upon  his  hand ;  then 
once  more  glanced  at  her,  she  all  the  while  con- 
tinuing to  sit  calmly,  calling  earnestly  upon  God. 

Suddenly  a  panic  appeared  to  seize  him ;  he 
blenched  beneath  her  still  fixed  gaze,  closed  his 
knife,  and  went  out.  At  a  single  spring  she 
reached  the  door,  shot  the  bolt  with  convulsive 
rapidity,  and  fell  senseless  on  the  floor.  When 
she  recovered,  she  recognised  her  husband's  well- 
known  step  at  the  door,  and  heard  him  calling  out 
in  surprise  at  finding  it  fastened.  Rising,  she 
admitted  him,  and,  in  tones  tremulous  with  agita- 
tion and  gratitude,  told  him  of  her  danger  and 
deliverance. 


PAET   VII. 

MISCELLANEOUS  ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  DIVINE 
PROVIDENCE. 


"  The  Lord  is  good  to  all :  and  His  tender  mercies  are  over  all  His  works." 
SALM  cxlv.  9. 


(369) 
24 


REMARKABLE  DREAM. 

Ix  my  eighteenth  year,  says  the  Rev.  E.  J. 
Way,  I  dreamed  that  in  riding  through  a  cross- 
roads near  my  father's  residence,  my  horse  threw 
me,  by  which  I  was  severely  injured.  The  dream 
was  very  distinct,  and  made  a  deep  impression 
upon  my  mind  at  the  time.  Several  days  after 
that,  I  was  sent,  in  company  with  my  brother,  for 
some  oats.  We  were  both  on  horseback;  I  was 
riding  a  young  colt.  As  we  neared  the  crossroads, 
we  started  our  horses  for  a  race,  when  the  colt,  by 
a  sudden  movement,  threw  me  off  in  the  very  spot 
and  in  the  very  manner  that  I  had  previously 
dreamed. 


THE  DRUNKARD'S  DREAM. 

THE  Rev.  Mr.  Tennent,  of  Freehold,  N.  J.,  had 
a  neighbor,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  who  was  a  habitual 
drunkard,  and  spent  much  time,  particularly  even- 

(371) 


372  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

ings,  and  Sabbath  days,  in  company  with  people  of 
like  habits,  and  never  went  to  church  or  religious 
meetings.  This  man  dreamed  one  night  that  he 
had  a  fit  of  sickness  and  died ;  and  as  he  had  always 
expected,  after  death,  he  went  to  hell.  Hell  was 
not  to  him  what  he  expected  to  find  it ;  but  was  a 
very  large  tavern,  with  a  bar-room  full  of  benches, 
well  lighted  up,  all  the  benches  filled  with  people, 
all  silent,  each  with  a  hat  on  his  head,  and  each 
covered  with  a  black  cloak  reaching  to  his  feet. 
The  man  went  up  to  the  landlord  and  said :  "  I 
expected  to  find  hell  full  of  fire  and  a  place  of  tor- 
ment, as  it  was  always  represented  to  me  while 
living ;  but  I  find  it  very  agreeable."  Upon  this, 
every  one  of  the  persons  stood  up,  and  each  one 
slowly  and  silently  opened  wide  his  cloak ;  and 
holding  it  open,  displayed  his  body  a  solid  mass  of 
fire.  The  man  was  so  struck  by  the  sight  that  he 
begged  the  landlord  to  allow  him  to  return  to  earth 
again — who,  after  many  entreaties,  consented  that 
he  should  return  if  he  would  make  a  solemn  promise 
to  return  there  again  at  the  end  of  a  year.  This 
the  man  promised,  and  awoke.  The  dream  filled 
his  mind  with  great  horror,  and  in  the  morning  he 
went  to  Mr.  Tennent  and  related  it.  Mr.  Tennent 
advised  him  to  reform,  and  lead  a  new  life ;  it 
seemed  a  special  warning,  which  if  he  neglected,  it 
would  enhance  his  future  punishment,  &c.  The 
man  did  reform,  and  for  six  months  avoided  his  old 
companions ;  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  he  was 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  373 

returning  from  work  one  evening,  and  was  met  by 
several  of  them  near  a  tavern,  and  they  began  to 
ridicule  him  for  becoming  religious,  and  dared  him 
to  go  in  and  take  one  drink  with  them.  The  man 
felt  strong  in  his  new  resolutions,  and  said  he  would 
go  in  and  take  one  drink  to  show  it  would  not  hurt 
him.  He  took  one  drink,  and  another,  till  he  was 
much  intoxicated;  from  that  time  he  returned  to 
his  old  habits,  and  grew  worse  and  worse.  His 
family  lived  in  the  second  story  of  a  house  to  which 
there  was  a  staircase  on  the  outside  ;  and  one  night 
on  which  he  had  drank  more  than  usual,  he  made 
shift  to  get  upstairs  and  to  bed — but  in  the  morning 
when  he  went  out  the  door  to  go  to  work,  he  was 
still  drunk,  and  pitched  off  the  stairs  to  the  ground 
and  broke  his  neck.  The  news  was  carried  to 
Mr.  Tennent,  who,  instantly  recollecting  the  man's 
dream,  on  looking  at  a  memorandum  he  had  made 
when  the  man  told  him  the  dream,  found  it  was  a 
year  that  day  since  the  man  told  it  to  him. 


AN  INFIDEL  STRANGELY  CONVERTED. 

A  NATIVE  of  Sweden,  residing  in  the  south  of 
France,  had  occasion  to  go  from  one  port  to  another 
in  the  Baltic  Sea.  When  he  came  to  the  place 
whence  he  expected  to  sail,  the  vessel  was  gone. 
On  inquiring,  he  found  a  fishing-boat  going  the 
same  way,  in  which  he  embarked.  After  being  for 

32 


374  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

some  time  out  at  sea,  the  men  observed  that  he 
had  several  trunks  and  chests  on  board,  concluded 
he  must  be  very  rich,  and  therefore  agreed  among 
themselves  to  throw  him  overboard.  This  he  heard 
them  express,  which  gave  him  great  uneasiness. 
However,  he  took  occasion  to  open  one  of  his  trunks, 
which  contained  some  books.  Observing  this,  they 
remarked  among  themselves  that  it  was  not  worth 
while  to  throw  him  into  the  sea,  as  they  did  not 
want  any  books,  which  they  supposed  was  all  the 
trunks  contained.  They  asked  him  if  he  were  a 
priest.  Hardly  knowing  what  reply  to  make,  he 
told  them  he  was ;  at  which  they  seemed  much 
pleased,  and  said  they  would  have  a  sermon  on  the 
next  day,  as  it  was  the  Sabbath. 

This  increased  the  anxiety  and  distress  of  his 
mind,  for  he  knew  himself  to  be  as  incapable  of 
such  an  undertaking,  as  it  was  possible  for  any  one 
to  be,  as  he  knew  very  little  of  the  Scriptures; 
neither  did  he  believe  in  the  inspiration  of  the 
Bible. 

At  length  they  came  to  a  small  rocky  island, 
perhaps  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  circumference,  where 
was  a  company  of  pirates,  who  had  chosen  this 
little  sequestered  spot  to  deposit  their  treasures. 
He  was  taken  to  a  cave,  and  introduced  to  an  old 
woman,  to  whom  they  remarked  that  they  were  to 
have  a  sermon  preached  the  next  day.  She  said 
she  was  very  glad  of  it,  for  she  had  not  heard  the 
word  of  God  for  a  great  while.  His  was  a  trying 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  375 

case,  for  preach  he  must;  still  he  knew  nothing 
about  preaching.  If  he  refused,  or  undertook  to 
preach  and  did  not  please,  he  expected  it  would  be 
his  death.  With  these  thoughts  he  passed  a  sleep- 
less night.  In  the  morning  his  mind  was  not  settled 
upon  anything.  To  call  upon  God,  whom  he  be- 
lieved to  be  inaccessible,  was  altogether  vain.  He 
could  devise  no  way  whereby  he  might  be  saved. 
He  walked  to  and  fro,  still  shut  up  in  darkness, 
striving  to  collect  something  to  say  to  them,  but 
could  not  think  of  even  a  single  sentence. 

When  the  appointed  time  for  the  meeting  arrived, 
he  entered  the  cave,  where  he  found  the  men  assem- 
bled. There  was  a  seat  prepared  for  him,  and  a 
table  with  a  Bible  on  it.  They  sat  for  the  space  of 
half  an  hour  in  profound  silence ;  and  even  then, 
the  anguish  of  his  soul  was  as  great  as  human 
nature  was  capable  of  enduring.  At  length  these 
words  came  to  his  mind,  "  Verily,  there  is  a  reward 
for  the  righteous  :  verily,  there  is  a  God  that  judgeth 
in  the  earth."  He  arose  and  delivered  them :  then 
other  words  presented  themselves,  and  so  on  till  his 
understanding  became  opened — his  heart  enlarged 
in  a  manner  astonishing  to  himself.  He  spoke  upon 
subjects  suited  to  their  condition ;  the  rewards  of 
the  righteous — the  judgments  of  the  wicked — the 
necessity  of  repentance,  and  the  importance  of  a 
change  of  life.  The  matchless  love  of  God  to  the 
children  of  men,  had  such  a  powerful  effect  upon 
the  minds  of  these  wretched  beings,  that  they  were 


376  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

melted  into  tears.  Nor  was  he  less  astonished  at 
the  unbounded  goodness  of  Almighty  God,  in  thus 
interposing  to  save  his  spiritual  as  well  as  his  natu- 
ral life,  and  well  might  he  exclaim, — "  This  is  the 
Lord's  doings,  and  marvellous  in  our  eyes."  Under 
a  deep  sense  of  God's  goodness,  his  heart  became 
filled  with  such  thankfulness,  that  it  was  out  of  his 
power  to  express.  What  marvellous  change  was 
thus  suddenly  brought  about  by  Divine  interposi- 
tion !  He  who  a  little  before  disbelieved  in  God, 
was  now  humbled  before  him.  And  they  who  were 
meditating  his  death  were  moved  to  affection. 

The  next  morning  they  put  him  in  one  of  their 
vessels  and  conveyed  him  where  he  desired.  From 
that  time  he  was  a  changed  man.  From  an  infidel 
he  became  a  believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 


COLLINS'S  REMARKABLE  DREAM. 

WHILE  the  Rev.  John  Collins  was  attending  one 
of  his  appointments  in  the  West,  he  dreamed  that 
he  received  at  the  post  office  a  letter  bearing  a 
black  seal,  and  containing  intelligence  of  the  death 
of  his  father  then  in  New  Jersey.  It  made  so  deep 
an  impression  on  his  mind  that  he  made  a  record 
of  it. 

Two  weeks  afterward,  on  returning  home,  he  re- 
ceived just  such  a  letter  as  he  had  seen  in  his 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  377 

dream,  sealed  with   black;   and  the   date  of  his 
father's  death  agreed  with  the  record  in  his  diary. 


A  REMARKABLE  CASE. 

DEAR  DR.  BOND  : — I  send  you  the  following  par- 
ticulars of  an  extraordinary  experience,  which,  in 
this  region  of  the  country,  is  occasioning  consider- 
able excitement. 

The  subject  of  the  experience  is  a  man  about 
forty  years  old,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  M. 
E.  Church  about  fifteen  years.  His  name  is  John 
Waltdemire.  He  resides  where  he  was  raised  from 
childhood,  in  the  town  of  Ghent,  Columbia  county, 
New  York,  where  he  has  always  been  known  as  a 
conscientious  and  exemplary  person.  He  is  a  man 
of  considerable  property,  and  for  a  number  of  years 
has  been  one  of  the  most  efficient  stewards  of  the 
circuit  in  which  he  lives.  I  was  his  pastor  during 
the  two  years  of  my  labor  in  the  Kinderhook  charge, 
and  am  well  acquainted  with  him.  For  nearly 
three  years  he  has  been  an  invalid,  suffering  great 
pain,  and  was  once  brought  very  low ;  but,  through 
his  whole  affliction,  has  been  of  sound  mind.  The 
particulars  of  this  remarkable  case  I  have  taken 
from  his  own  lips,  and  give  them,  mostly,  in  his 
own  words. 

The  occurrence  took  place  on  Sabbath  evening, 
January  27,  1856.  Soon  after  he  retired  for  the 

32* 


378  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

night  he  was  seized  with  a  spasmodic  affection  of 
the  respiratory  organs,  and  suffered  extremely  for 
a  few  minutes,  being  entirely  conscious.  He  then 
sunk  away,  and  became  silent  and  motionless,  and, 
after  a  short  time,  revived  again  for  a  little  while, 
and  spoke  a  few  words ;  then,  much  in  the  same 
way  as  before,  he  sunk  into  a  death-resembling 
state,  and,  so  far  as  those  present  could  decide, 
ceased  to  breathe,  and  became  as  one  dead.  The 
family  physician,  Dr.  S.,  a  reputable  and  scientific 
doctor  of  the  old  school,  of  some  fifteen  years'  prac- 
tice, was  sent  for,  with  all  practicable  haste.  The 
neighbors  were  called  in ;  none  of  them  could  per- 
ceive any  sign  of  life ;  the  body  lay  as  a  corpse. 

This  strange  phenomenon  came  over  him,  at  short 
intervals,  four  times  during  the  night;  but  the 
second  was  characterized  by  the  most  remarkable 
mental  and  spiritual  experiences.  At  this  time  it 
was  nearly  three  hours  before  he  revived,  and, 
when  he  did,  lifting  his  hands  and  clapping  them 
together,  to  the  great  surprise  of  all  present,  he 
said,  with  a  voice  so  clear  and  strong  that  it  could 
be  heard  several  rods  from  the  house,  "  Bless  the 
Lord  for  the  glorious  resurrection."  These  were 
his  first  words.  He  then  shouted,  "  Glory  to  God  !" 
though  he  was  never  in  the  habit  of  shouting.  He 
said  many  things  very  remarkable,  of  which  the 
family  and  friends  retain  but  an  indistinct  remem- 
brance. The  Scriptures,  in  particular,  seemed  to 
be  perfectly  familiar  to  him,  and,  with  wonderful 


REMARKABLE   1'llOVIDEXCES.  379 

aptness,  he  repeated  passage  after  passage,  inter- 
spersing them  with  praises  to  God. 

It  appeared  to  him,  during  the  time  of  his  bodily 
insensibility,  that  he  had  been  for  a  moment  uncon- 
Heious,  and  then  the  faculties  of  his  mind  became 
clear  and  strong.  While  he  lay  there,  and  they 
supposed  he  was  dead,  he  was  perfectly  conscious 
of  all  that  passed  around  him.  He  thought  himself 
separated  from  the  body,  but  near  it,  and  expected 
never  to  return.  The  excellent  glory,  in  part, 
broke  upon  his  view.  He  had  a  glimpse  of  what 
seemed  the  throne  of  God.  In  his  vision  there  was 
an  innumerable  company,  clothed  in  the  resurrec- 
tion body,  moving  with  eagerness  on  toward  the 
immediate  divine  presence.  They  appeared  to  be 
ascending  a  vast  even  slope,  and  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach,  the  company  was  unbroken,  and  all 
indescribably  happy. 

During  this  time  of  suspended  animation  there 
was  a  clearness  and  brilliancy  of  his  mind  beyond 
everything  he  had  ever  imagined.  It  was,  he  says, 
not  faith,  but  sight — a  blessed  reality.  For  a  little 
time  after  reviving  his  mind  was  clear,  and  his 
ecstasies  unbounded,  but,  as  his  strength  increased, 
his  body  acted  as  a  clog  and  shade  to  his  mind. 
lie  compared  it  to  coming  out  of  the  open  air  to  a 
darkened  room.  His  apparent  return  to  earth 
seemed  to  be  determined  by  the  Lord  himself 
alone;  but  at  about  the  same  moment  he  heard 
and  distinctly  remembers  hearing  his  wife  pray,  as 


380  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

she  was  kneeling  by  his  side,  "  Spare  him,  0  Lord, 
spare  him."  At  about  the  time  of  this  prayer  signs 
of  returning  life  appeared. 

Mr.  W.  is  still  in  feeble  health,  but  is  able  to  ride 
out,  and  is  everywhere  respected  among  his  neigh- 
bors as  an  intelligent  and  orthodox  Christian.  This 
case,  in  its  principal  features,  so  closely  resembles 
the  trance  of  the  celebrated  William  Tennent  that 
I  forward  it  to  you,  hoping  you  may  give  us  your 
views  of  it,  and  of  the  subject  in  general. 

J.  N  SHAFFER. 

Chatham  Four  Corners,  March  11,  1856. 


SINGULAR  COINCIDENCE. 

THE  Rev.  Dr.  Bedell  relates  that  while  Bishop 
Chase,  of  Ohio,  was  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Beek,  in 
Philadelphia,  he  received  a  package  from  Dr.  Ward, 
Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Man,  making  inquiries  relating 
to  certain  property  in  America,  of  which  some  old 
person  of  his  diocese  was  the  heir.  The  letter  had 
gone  to  Ohio,  followed  him  to  Washington,  then  to 
Philadelphia,  and  found  him  at  Mr.  Beek's.  When 
he  read  it  to  Mr.  B.,  the  latter  was  in  amazement, 
and  said :  "  Bishop  Chase,  I  am  the  only  man  in 
the  world  who  can  give  you  information.  I  have 
the  deeds  in  my  possession,  and  have  had  them 
forty-three  years,  not  knowing  what  to  do  with 
them,  or  where  any  heirs  were  to  be  found."  How 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  381 

wonderful  that  the  application  should  be  made  to 
Bishop  Chase,  and  he  not  in  Ohio,  but  a  guest  in 
the  house  of  the  only  man  who  possessed  any  infor- 
mation on  the  subject ! 


THE  SOLDIER'S  SHIELD. 

SAMUEL  PROCTOR  was  trained  up  in  the  use  of  re- 
ligious ordinances,  and  in  early  life  felt  some  reli- 
gious impressions.  He  afterwards  enlisted  as  a  sol- 
dier in  the  first  regiment  of  foot  guards,  and  was 
made  a  grenadier.  Notwithstanding  this,  the  im- 
pressions made  upon  his  mind  continued ;  and  the 
fear  of  the  Lord,  as  a  guardian  angel,  attended  him 
through  the  changing  scenes  of  life.  There  were  a 
few  in  the  regiment  who  met  for  pious  and  devo- 
tional exercises;  he  cast  in  his  lot  among  them, 
and  always  carried  a  small  pocket  Bible  in  one 
pocket,  and  his  hymn  book  in  the  other.  He  took 
part  in  the  struggle  on  the  plains  of  Waterloo  in 
1815.  In  the  evening  of  June  16th,  in  the  tre- 
mendous conflict  on  that  day,  his  regiment  was 
ordered  to  dislodge  the  French  from  a  wood,  of 
which  they  had  taken  possession,  and  from  which 
they  annoyed  the  allied  army.  While  thus  engaged, 
he  was  thrown  a  distance  of  four  or  five  yards  by  a 
force  on  his  hip,  for  which  he  could  not  account  at 
the  time ;  but,  when  he  came  to  examine  his  Bible, 
he  saw,  with  overwhelming  gratitude  to  the  Pre- 


382  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

server  of  his  life,  what  it  was  that  had  thus  driven 
him.  A  musket-ball  had  struck  his  hip  where  his 
Bible  rested  in  his  pocket,  and  penetrated  nearly 
half  through  that  sacred  book.  All  who  saw  the 
ball,  said  that  it  would  undoubtedly  have  killed 
him,  had  it  not  been  for  the  Bible,  which  served  as 
a  shield.  The  Bible  was  kept  as  a  sacred  treasure, 
and  laid  up  in  his  house,  like  an  heirloom. 


THE  INHUMAN  FATHER  DEFEATED. 

DURING  a  series  of  religious  meetings,  held  in  the 
school-house  of  a  small  village,  a  very  little  girl 
became  much  interested  for  the  salvation  of  her 
soul.  Her  father,  a  hater  of  holiness,  who  lived 
next  door  to  the  place  of  meeting,  finding  that  his 
little  daughter  was  much  interested  in  the  meet- 
ings, and  had  been  forward  to  be  prayed  for,  strictly 
forbade  her  again  entering  the  "  house  of  prayer." 
The  poor  little  girl  was  much  oppressed,  and  knew 
not  what  to  do,  but  obeyed  her  father  until  the  next 
meeting  was  nearly  half  through,  then  slipping  out 
without  his  knowledge,  and  getting  through  a  hole 
in  the  back  yard  fence,  she  hastily  ran  to  the  meet- 
ing. It  was  some  time  before  her  father  missed  her, 
but  when  he  found  her  gone,  he  went  immediately 
to  the  meeting,  where  she  was  on  her  knees,  with 
others  whom  the  people  of  God  were  praying  for. 
So  enraged  was  he,  that  he  went  directly  forward, 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  383 

and  took  her  in  his  arms,  to  carry  her  from  the 
place.  As  he  raised  her  from  her  knees,  she  looked 
up  with  a  heavenly  smile,  and  said,  "  It  is  too  late- 
now,  pa ;  I  have  given  my  heart  to  the  Saviour." 
This  was  too  much  for  the  hardened  sinner :  he  too 
sunk  on  his  knees,  while  he  was  prayed  for;  and 
verv  soon  he  found  that  Saviour  he  had  in  vain  at- 

w 

tempted  to  shut  out  from  his  daughter's  heart. 


TRACT  ANECDOTE. 

IN  the  district  of  A ,  one  Sabbath  morning, 

as  some  Sunday  school  children  were  going  to  their 
school,  having  with  them  a  little  bundle  of  tracts, 
they  passed  by  the  field  of  a  man  who  had  long 
neglected  the  sanctuary  and  ordinary  means  of 
grace.  One  of  them  passed  over  the  fence,  and 
fastened  to  the  plough-beam  the  tract  called  the 
Swearer's  Prayer,  and  continued  on  to  school. 

On  Monday  morning,  when  the  man  came  to  his 
plough,  he  found  the  tract,  but  was  unable  to  tell 
how  it  came  there ;  and,  surprised  at  the  singular 
circumstance,  took  it  home,  and  read  it  carefully 
again  and  again.  Conviction  fastened  upon  his 
conscience — he  began  to  attend  places  of  public 
worship.  His  anxiety  after  truth  continued,  until 
(as  he  trusts)  he  found  peace  in  a  Saviour's  blood, 
and  has  since  connected  himself  with  a  Christian 
church. 


384  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

Another  man  in  the  neighborhood,  who  could 
not  read,  hearing  of  the  effect  produced  upon  the 
mind  of  the  other  by  the  reading  of  a  tract,  went 
to  a  house  where  they  had  a  number  of  these  silent 
preachers,  and  expressed  great  anxiety  to  hear  some 
of  those  tracts  read. 

"  In  the  morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  eve- 
ning withhold  not  thy  hand,  for  thou  knowest  not 
whether  shall  prosper,  either  this  or  that,  or 
whether  they  both  shall  be  alike  good." 


PROVIDENCE  INTERPRETED  BY  AN  OLD  COLORED 
WOMAN. 

THE  following  is  a  letter  which  was  published 
some  time  since  in  the  Western  Christian  Ad- 
vocate : — 

Messrs.  Editors, — A  few  days  since,  an  aged 
colored  man,  belonging  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  called  to  see  me.  Having  listened  with 
interest  to  some  facts  which  he  related  in  class 
meetings  and  love-feasts,  I  felt  desirous  to  hear  his 
history  from  himself.  Accordingly  I  made  the  re- 
quest, and  he,  becoming  interested  in  his  own  story, 
related  it  with  the  feeling  and  effect  peculiar  to  the 
simplicity  of  the  "  child  of  nature."  The  narration 
contains  allusions  and  reflections  which,  on  account 
of  their  originality  and  pertinency,  cannot  fail  to  be 
useful.  While  he  was  talking,  I  was  (unknown  to 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  385 

him)  writing  down  the  substance  of  his  remarks.  I 
have  written  it  in  his  own  language,  believing  that 
it  would  rob  it  of  half  its  interest  to  your  readers 
were  it  rendered  to  them  strictly  correct  by  "nicest 
rules  of  art." 

"In  de  fall  of I  leas  part  of  Judge 's 

farm,  up  on  de  river.  Move  up  dar  vid  my  family, 
an  work  hard  for  sevrel  year.  Judge  mity  good  to 
me,  'low  me  many  liberties,  an  I  make  money  dar. 
But  I  thought  I  mout  do  better  down  in  de  Indiana 
country.  So  I  starts  down  dar  splorin  de  country, 
an  found  a  mity  good  place,  as  I  thought,  an  tuck 
a  leas  for  five  year.  Den  I  cum  up  an  fotch  my 
family  down  dar;  and  I  hab  hosses,  an  cows,  an 
five  calfs,  an  ninety-five  head  of  hog.  Well,  I  put 
up  my  cabin,  an  hire  hans,  an  clare  out  fifteen 
acres  for  to  put  it  in  kawn.  Dar  war  mity  good 
parster  out  in  de  woods,  an  pea-vine,  0  man ! 
Well,  I  didn't  know  nothin  bout  de  country,  an 
tuck  an  turn  out  my  hosses  an  cows  to  feed.  Well, 
two  or  three  day  arter  dat,  dey  cum  bout  de  house, 
an  walk  roun,  an  walk  roun  an  trimble,  an  one 
arter  de  udder  fall  down  an  die — hosses  too.  De 
cans  for  dat  war,  dey  bin  etin  trirnblin  weed  ;  but  I 
didn't  know  nothin  bout  it.  Dat  same  day  de 
young  man  what  lib  wid  me  die ;  an  de  next  day  a 
young  man  what  I  hire  he  die  wid  de  trimbles  too. 
Dey  didn't  eat  de  trimble  weed  do — only  dey  drink 
de  milk  what  de  cows  give  what  die.  My  wife  war 
sick  wid  it  too,  but  troo  marcy  she  war  spared.  One 

25 


380  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

day  dat  week,  in  de  mornin,  I  was  sittin  on  a  fence 
rail,  by  de  kawn  field — felt  very  bad  an  gloomy.  , 
Jes  den  mammy  cum  by.  She  stop  an  say,  l  Sam, 
what  de  marter  wid  you  ?'  I  tole  her  I  feel  very 
bad — don't  know  what  I  shall  do.  She  say,  '0 
Sam,  all  dis  is  for  de  best.  You  bin  careless  bout 
your  soul,  an  God  now  shoin  you  de  folly  of  de 
worl,  an  it  may  be  de  casion  of  your  gettin  ligun ; 
and  den  you  will  say  yoursef  dat  it  war  de  best 
thing  as  eber  happen  to  you.'  So  she  pass  on  to  de 
spring.  She  war  mity  good  woman,  rale  Christian, 
carry  de  witness  in  her  breast.  0  yes,  mammy 
war  good  woman,  ebery  body  'low  dat.  Well,  as  I 
was  sayin,  I  war  sittin  on  de  fence  rail,  an  jes  be- 
fore me  dar  war  rite  smart  hill  rise  up,  an  swell  off 
to  de  left ;  and  it  war  covered  wid  oak  trees ;  an  my 
hogs  war  dar.  Dey  hadn't  eat  no  trimblin  weed ; 
an  /  notice  dat  de  hogs  go  from  tree  to  tree,  an  eat 
akawn,  and  neber  look  up  once  to  see  whar  dey  cum 
from.  Thinks  I,  dat  jes  de  way  wid  me.  I  zactly 
like  hog.  God  bin  smilin  on  me  from  my  yout  up, 
and  porein  down  blessins  on  me ;  an  I,  jes  like  de 
hog,  neber  look  up  to  tink  whar  dey  cum  from,  or  to 
tank  God  for  dem.  Dis  tought  run  troo  my  heart 
like  dagger,  an  I  jump  down,  an  went  an  pray. 
Bout  dis  time  I  opened  de  sugar  camp,  an  tap  bout 
one  hundred  trees,  and  I  pray  at  ebery  tree  I  tap. 
As  I  turn  de  auger  I  pray  almost  ebery  turn.  So 
on  I  went  day  arter  day — eat  little  or  not  tin. 
Mammy  say,  '  Sam,  why  don't  you  eat  nottin  ?'  I 


1IKMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  387 

say  I  don't  want  nottin,  I  has  form  resolushun 
nebcr  to  stop  till  I  git  ligun.  Some  time  artcr  dis 
I  hear  dar  war  gwyin  to  be  praar  met  in  tree  miles 
off — JMetodis.  So  Sunday  mornin  I  starts  for  metin. 
From  whar  I  den  live  dar  war  high  hill  to  climb, 
mity  steep.  I  start  up  it.  Dat  morn  had  bin  snow 
storm.  Snow  war  shoe-mouth  deep.  I  climb,  I 
climb.  I  hear  once  dat  Moses  went  up  in  mountin, 
an  God  meet  him  an  talk  to  him  dar.  So  I  went 
on,  an  when  I  got  up  to  de  top  I  bresht  away  de 
snow,  an  pray,  and  tole  God  dat  I  form  resolushun 
neber  to  go  back  to  my  house  till  he  convert  my 
soul.  Feel  somewhat  couraged  dar,  and  went  on  to 
praar  metin,  which  war  held  at  de  class-leader's 
house.  Hear  dar  war  gwyin  to  be  prechin  at  de 
metin  house  by  de  itirean  precher.  At  de  class- 
leader's  house  war  de  class-leader  an  de  old  pro- 
fessors talldn  l)out  tliar  farms.,  an  craps,  an  hosses, 
an  cows,  an  oder  critters — an  Sundy,  too,  an  not  a 
word  drapt  bout  ligun.  ThinJcs  I,  dis  no  place  for 
me  ;  so  I  starts  on  to  de  metin  house.  Jes  as  I  bow 
my  head  to  enter  de  house,  pearantly  somethin 
struck  me.  Howasever,  I  takes  my  seat  way  back. 
Metin  begin,  dey  sing,  dey  pray,  de  tears  run  down 
my  cheek  in  streams,  an  I  hang  my  head  down 
away  one  side  so  nobody  shant  see  me.  An  when 
dey  neel  down  den  I  gives  way,  an  cry  an  pray ; 
an  jcs  before  de  praar  closed  I  wipe  my  eyes  dry  so 
nobody  shant  know  it.  Arter  while  I  feel  so  bad 
dat  I  couldn't  stand  up  no  longer,  an  fell  down  on 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 


my  face  in  de  floor,  and  cry  to  God  for  marcy.  Den 
de  wanderings  of  my  mine  kep  cumin  in,  cumin  in, 
cumin  in,  cumin  in,  jes  like  nats,  from  dis  way  an 
dat,  cumin  in,  cumin  in.  I  felt  dat  I  war  wortty 
to  be  dam'd  for  my  sins,  an  felt  dat  if  I  war  saved 
it  would  be  troo  great  marcy.  /  den  felt  dat  I  war 
jes  able  to  do  nottin  ;  an  I  tell  de  blessed  Jesus,  dat 
if  anyting  war  done  in  my  case  lie  -would  have  to  do 
it  hisself.  Jes  den  somethin  rise  up  in  me,  an 
swell,  an  swell,  and  cum  up  in  my  throat.  I 
couldn't  speak  a  word,  no  nor  whisper  neither. 
All  at  once,  pearantly,  it  broke,  an  I  felt  such 
liberty,  an  peace,  an  joy,  dat  I  holla  out,  l  Glory  to 
God !'  an  arter  praisin  him  wid  de  people  for  some 
time,  I  went  on  my  way  home  rejoicin.  Arter  dat, 
I  felt  as  if  I  were  cut  loose  from  my  toes  to  my  head  ; 
for  whar  de  Spirit  of  de  Lord  is,  dar  is  liberty.  0 
de  sweet  joy  an  peace  dar  is  in  believin !  an  /  am 
still  on  de  way  •  an  mine  I  tell  you,  whoever  gets  to 
heaven,  or  whoever  don't,  Sam  is  on  de  road.  Glory 
to  God!" 

In  reviewing  the  above,  I  think  but  one  sentiment 
will  prevail,  viz.,  "  How  true  to  nature,  and  how 
true  to  grace !"  Yours,  &c.,  M. 


THE  TWO  MINERS. 

AT  a  meeting  of  the  "Wesleyan  Missionary  Society, 
the  Rev.  R.  Young,  of  Truro,  mentioned  a  very  re- 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  389 

markable  fact  that  had  taken  place  in  Cornwall, 
England : — 

"  Two  men  were  working  together  in  a  mine, 
and  having  prepared  to  blast  the  rock,  and  laid  the 
train,  the  latter  became  by  accident  ignited.  In  a 
few  moments  a  tremendous  explosion  they  knew 
was  inevitable,  and  the  rock  must  be  rent  in  a 
thousand  pieces.  On  perceiving  their  danger,  they 
both  leaped  into  the  bucket,  and  called  to  the  man 
on  the  surface  to  draw  them  up.  He  endeavored 
to  do  so,  but  his  arm  was  found  too  feeble  to  raise 
the  bucket  while  both  the  men  were  in  it.  What 
was  to  be  done  ?  The  burning  fuse,  which  could 
not  be  extinguished,  was  now  within  a  few  feet  of 
the  powder ;  a  moment  or  two,  and  the  explosion 
must  take  place.  At  this  awful  crisis,  one  of  the 
men,  addressing  the  other,  said :  l  You  shall  live 
and  I  will  die ;  for  you  are  an  impenitent  sinner, 
and  if  you  now  die  your  soul  will  be  lost ;  but  if  I 
die,  I  know  that,  by  the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  I  shall  be  taken  to  himself.'  And  so  say- 
ing, without  waiting  for  a  reply,  he  leaped  out  of 
the  bucket,  and  prayerfully  waited  the  result.  On 
the  other  reaching  the  surface,  he  bent  over  the 
shaft  to  ascertain  the  fate  of  his  companion.  At 
that  moment  a  terrific  explosion  was  heard ;  a  por- 
tion of  the  rock  was  thrown  up  and  smote  him  on 
the  forehead,  leaving  an  indelible  mark  to  remind 
him  of  his  danger  and  deliverance.  But  the  man 
of  God,  when  they  came  to  search  for  him,  was 
33* 


390  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

found  arched  over  by  the  fragments  of  broken  rock 
in  the  mine,  uninjured,  and  rejoicing  in  the  Lord. 
This  magnanimous  miner  exhibited  in  this  act  an 
amount  of  disinterested  love  and  charity  which  has 
seldom  been  equalled,  and  is  never  found  but  in 
connection  with  the  love  of  Christ.  Here  is  none 
of  that  unholy  daring,  of  which  we  have  instances 
among  the  heroes  of  Greece  and  Rome,  who,  actu- 
ated solely  by  a  love  of  notoriety,  inflicted  upon 
themselves  tortures  and  even  death ;  but  that  pure 
Christian  character,  which,  at  all  hazards,  even  at 
the  sacrifice  of  life  itself,  seeks  to  save  the  immor- 
tal soul  of  man.  This  is  the  kind  of  charity  we 
have  met  this  day  to  elicit,  to  strengthen,  and  to 
direct,  and  without  which  it  is  impossible  that  the 
great  object  of  missionary  enterprise  can  ever  be 
accomplished." 

* 

A  WONDERFUL  RELATION. 

THE  facts  hereinafter  narrated,  occurred  in  the 
year  1813,  and  were  fully  confirmed  to  John  F. 
Watson,  our  annalist  of  Philadelphia,  by  the  com- 
modore himself,  in  1824,  through  the  medium  of 
Joseph  Nurse,  Esq.,  Register  of  the  Treasury. 
After  the  occurrence,  such  was  the  impressiveness 
of  the  facts  on  the  mind  of  the  commodore,  that  he 
became  a  religious  professor.  He  stated  to  Mr. 
Watson  that  the  surgeon  of  the  ship  should  some 
day  thereafter  give  a  published  account  of  the  whole 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  391 

transaction.  This  seems  to  have  been  fulfilled  in 
the  "  Itinerant"  about  the  year  1824.  At  all 
events,  the  following,  as  republished  in  the  Norris- 
town  Herald  of  8th  July,  1829,  gives  the  same  as 
from  the  Itinerant.  Although  the  name  of  the 
surgeon  is  not  given,  it  is  ascertained  that  R.  L. 
Thorn  was  surgeon,  and  William  Turk,  mate,  for 
the  year  1813. 

The  "  Itinerant"  had  prefaced  the  relation  by 
saying,  "  It  has  come  to  us  with  evidence  sufficient 
to  warrant  confidence,  as  much  as  any  fact  in  his- 
tory ;  and  to  doubt  it  would  argue  an  affected  scru- 
pulosity foreign  from  our  convictions,"  to  wit : — 

"And  he  that  was  dead,  sat  up,  and  began  to 
speak." 

MIRACLE  OF  MERCY. — Although  the  events  now 
for  the  first  time  recorded,  occurred  ten  years  ago, 
they  are  still  fresh  in  my  recollection,  and  have 
made  so  strong  an  impression  upon  my  mind,  that 
time  can  never  obliterate  them.  They  partake  so 
much  of  the  marvellous,  that  I  would  not  dare  to 
commit  them  to  paper  were  there  not  so  many  liv- 
ing witnesses  to  the  truth  of  the  facts  narrated  ; 
some  of  them  of  the  greatest  respectability,  and 
even  sanctioned  by  Commodore  Rodgers.  The  story 
is  considered  by  all  who  have  heard  it,  too  inter- 
esting to  be  lost.  I  therefore  proceed  to  the  task, 
while  those  are  in  existence  who  can  confirm  it. 

Living  in  an  enlightened  age  and  country,  where 


392  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

bigotry  and  superstition  have  nearly  lost  their  in- 
fluence over  the  minds  of  men,  particularly  among 
the  citizens  of  this  republic,  where  knowledge  is  so 
universally  diffused,  I  have  often  been  deterred 
from  relating  a  circumstance  so  wonderful  as  to 
stagger  the  belief  of  the  most  credulous ;  but  facts 
are  stubborn  things,  and  the  weight  of  testimony 
in  this  case  cannot  be  resisted.  Unable,  for  the 
want  of  time  or  room,  to  enter  into  any  particulars 
as  I  could  wish,  I  will  give,  to  the  best  of  my  re- 
collection, the  most  prominent  and  striking  occur- 
rences in  the  order  in  which  they  took  place,  with- 
out comment  or  embellishment. 

Some  time  in  the  latter  part  of  December,  1813, 
a  man  by  the  name  of  William  Kemble,  aged  about 
twenty-three  years,  a  seaman  on  board  of  the  United 
States  frigate  President,  commanded  by  Commo- 
dore Rodgers,  on  a  cruise  then  near  the  Western 
Islands,  was  brought  to  me  from  one  of  the  tops, 
in  which  he  had  been  stationed,  having  bursted  a 
vessel  in  his  lun^s.  Being  at  that  time  in  great 
danger  of  instant  death,  the  blood  gushing  with 
great  violence  from  his  mouth  and  nostrils,  it  was 
with  much  difficulty  that  I  succeeded  in  stopping 
the  discharge.  He  was  immediately  put  on  the  use 
of  remedies  suited  to  his  case.  I  visited  him  often, 
and  had  the  be§t  opportunity  of  becoming  ac- 
quainted with  his  temper,  habits,  and  intellectual 
attainments,  and  under  all  circumstances,  during 
his  illness,  found  his  language  and  behavior  such 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  393 

as  stamped  him  the  rough,  profane,  and  illiterate 
sailor.  It  is  my  belief,  though  I  cannot  positively 
assert  it,  that  he  could  neither  read  nor  write.  It 
is  certain  that  his  conversation  never  differed  in 
the  least  from  that  of  the  most  ignorant  and  aban- 
doned of  his  associates — constantly  mixed  with 
oaths,  a^id  the  lowest  vulgarity.  Had  he  possessed 
talents  or  learning,  he  must  have  betrayed  it  to  me 
during  his  long  confinement. 

In  the  early  part  of  January,  a  vessel  bore  down 
upon  us,  with  every  appearance  of  being  an  English 
frigate.  All  hands  were  called  to  quarters ;  and,  after 
a  short  and  animated  address  by  the  Commodore 
to  the  crew,  all  prepared  to  do  their  duty.  Before 
I  descended  to  the  cockpit,  well  knowing  Kemble's 
spirit,  and  how  anxious  he  would  be  to  partake  in 
the  glory  of  the  victory  (defeat  never  entering  our 
thoughts),  I  thought  it  better  to  visit  him.  After 
stating  to  him  the  peculiar  situation  he  was  in,  and 
the  great  danger  he  would  be  exposed  to,  by  the 
least  motion,  I  entreated  him  and  ordered  him  not 
to  stir  during  the  action,  which  he  promised  to  ob- 
serve. We  were  soon  after  obliged  to  fire.  At  the 
sound  of  the  first  gun,  he  could  restrain  himself 
no  longer — regardless  of  my  admonition,  and  of  his 
own  danger,  he  rushed  upon  the  deck,  and  flew  to 
his  gun,  laying  hold  to  help  to  run  her  out.  A  fresh 
and  tremendous  discharge  from  his  lungs  was  the 
consequence,  and  he  was  brought  down  to  me  again 
in  a  most  deplorable  state.  I  apprehended  immedi- 


394  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

ate  death,  but,  by  the  application  of  the  proper  reme- 
dies, I  succeeded,  once  more,  in  stopping  the  hem- 
orrhage, by  which  he  was  reduced  to  a  state  of 
extreme  debility.  Being  near  the  equator,  and 
suffering  much  from  the  heat,  his  hammock  was 
hung  upon  the  gun  deck,  between  the  ports,  as 
affording  the  best  circulation  of  air.  He  continued 
some  time  free  from  hemorrhage,  but  was  under  the 
constant  use  of  medicines,  and  was  confined  to  a 
particular  diet.  This  made  him  fretful,  and  he 
would  frequently  charge  my  mates  with  starving 
him,  and,  at  the  same  time  damning  them  in  the 
true  sailor  style.  After  some  time,  being  again 
called  to  quarters  at  night,  he  was  necessarily  re- 
moved below  to  the  sick  berth  (commonly  called 
bay)  ;  this  was  followed  by  another  discharge  of 
blood  from  his  lungs,  which  was  renewed,  at  inter- 
vals, until  his  death. 

On  the  17th  of  January,  in  the  afternoon,  Dr. 
,  my  first  mate,  came  to  me  on  deck,  and  re- 
ported Kemble  to  be  dead.  I  directed  him  to  see 
that  his  messmates  did  what  was  usual  on  such 
occasions,  preparatory  to  committing  his  remains  to 

the  deep.     About  two  hours  after  this,  Dr. 

again  called  upon  me,  and  said  that  Kemble  had 
come  to  life,  and  was  holding  forth  to  the  sailors  in 
a  strange  way.  I  directly  went  down,  when  I  wit- 
nessed one  of  the  most  remarkable  and  unaccount- 
able transactions,  that,  perhaps,  has  ever  fallen  to 
the  lot  of  man  to  behold.  Kemble  had  awakened, 


REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES.  395 

as  it  were,  from  sleep,  raised  himself  up,  called  for 
his  messmates  in  particular,  and  those  men  who 
were  not  on  duty,  to  attend  to  his  words.  He  then 
told  them  he  had  experienced  death,  but  was  allowed 
a  short  space  of  time  to  return,  to  give  them,  as 
well  as  the  officers,  some  direction  for  their  future 
conduct  in  life.  In  this  situation  I  found  him,  sur- 
rounded by  the  crew,  all  mute  with  astonishment, 
and  paying  the  most  serious  attention  to  every 
word  that  escaped  from  his  lips.  The  oldest  men 
in  tears — not  a  dry  eye  was  to  be  seen,  or  a  whis- 
per to  be  heard — all  was  as  solemn  and  as  silent 
as  the  grave.  His  whole  body  was  as  cold  as  death 
could  make  it.  There  was  no  pulsation  in  the 
wrists,  the  temples,  or  the  chest,  perceptible.  His 
voice  was  clear  and  powerful ;  his  eyes  uncommonly 
brilliant  and  animated.  After  a  short  and  perti- 
nent address  to  the  medical  gentlemen,  he  told  me 
in  a  peremptory  manner,  to  bring  Commodore  Rod- 
gers  to  him,  as  he  had  something  to  say  to  him 
before  he  finally  left  us.  The  Commodore  consented 
to  go  with  me,  when  a  scene  was  presented  truly 
novel  and  indescribable,  and  calculated  to  fill  with 
awe  the  stoutest  heart.  The  sick  bay  (or  berth), 
in  which  he  lay,  is  entirely  set  apart  to  the  use  of 
those  who  are  confined  to  their  beds  by  illness. 
Supported  by  the  surgeons,  surrounded  by  his 
weeping  and  astonished  comrades,  a  crowd  of  spec- 
tators looking  through  the  lattice  work  which  en- 
closed the  room,  a  common  japanned  lamp,  throw- 


396  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

ing  out  a  sickly  light,  and  a  candle  held  opposite 
his  face  by  an  attendant,  was  the  situation  of  things 
when  the  worthy  Commodore  made  his  appearance. 
And  well  does  he  remember  the  effect  produced 
by  so  uncommon  a  spectacle,  especially  when  fol- 
lowed by  the  utterance  of  these  words  from  the 
mouth  of  one  long  supposed  to  have  been  dead  : — 
"  Commodore  Rodgers,  I  have  sent  for  you,  sir. 
being  commissioned  by  a  higher  power,  to  address 
you  for  a  short  time,  and  to  deliver  the  message 
intrusted  to  me,  when  I  was  permitted  to  revisit 
the  earth.  Once  I  trembled  in  your  presence,  and 
was  eager  to  obey  your  commands ;  but  now  I  am 
your  superior,  being  no  longer  an  inhabitant  of  this 
earth.  I  have  seen  the  glories  of  the  world  of 
spirits.  I  am  not  permitted  to  make  known  what 
I  have  beheld.  Indeed,  were  I  not  forbidden,  lan- 
guage would  be  inadequate  to  the  task.  'Tis 
enough  for  you  and  the  crew  to  know,  that  I  have 
been  sent  back  to  the  earth,  to  reanimate,  for  a  few 
hours,  my  lifeless  body,  commissioned  by  God,  to 
perform  the  work  I  am  now  engaged  in."  He  then, 
in  language  as  chaste  and  appropriate  as  would  not 
have  disgraced  the  lips  or  the  pen  of  a  divine,  took 
a  hasty  view  of  all  the  moral  and  religious  duties 
incumbent  upon  the  commander  of  a  ship  of  war ; 
he  reviewed  the  vices  prevalent  on  board  a  ship ; 
pointed  out  the  relative  duties  of  officers  and  men, 
and  concluded  by  urging  the  necessity  of  reforma- 
tion and  repentance.  He  did  not,  as  was  feared  by 


REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES.  397 

our  brave  Commodore,  attempt  to  prove  the  sinful- 
ness  of  fighting  and  wars;  but,  on  the  contrary, 
warmly  recommended  to  the  men  the  performance 
of  their  duty  to  their  country  with  courage  and 
fidelity.  His  speeches  occupied  about  three-quar- 
ters of  an  hour ;  and,  if  the  whole  could  have  been 
taken  down  at  the  time,  they  would  have  made  a 
considerable  pamphlet,  which  would,  no  doubt, 

have  been  in  great  demand.      Dr.  ,  now  at 

Boston,  heard  all  the  addresses;  I  only  the  last. 
When  he  had  finished  with  the  Commodore,  his 
head  dropped  upon  his  breast,  his  eyes  closed,  and 
he  appeared  to  pass  through  a  second  death;  no 
pulsation,  nor  the  least  degree  of  warmth  could  be 
perceived  during  the  time  he  was  speaking.  I 
ordered  him  to  be  laid  aside,  and  left  him. 

I  was  soon  called  into  the  cabin,  where  the  Com- 
modore required  from  me  an  explanation  of  the 
case  on  rational  and  philosophical  principles.  This 
I  endeavored  to  give.  I  but  in  part  succeeded.  It 
would  swell  this  narrative  too  much  to  repeat  all  I 
said  in  endeavoring  to  elucidate  the  subject;  at 
least  it  proved  a  lame  attempt.  For,  when  asked 
how  this  man,  without  education  or  reading,  or 
mixing  with  other  society  than  that  of  common 
sailors,  should  acquire  the  command  of  the  purest 
language,  properly  arranged,  and  delivered  clearly, 
distinctly,  with  much  animation  and  great  effect,  I 
gave  no  reply ;  and  it  was,  and  ever  will  remain,  in- 
explicable without  admitting  supernatural  agency. 
34 


398  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

The  days  of  miracles  are  passed,  and  I  know  I  shuil 
be  laughed  at  by  many  for  dwelling  upon  or  repeat- 
ing this  story.  But  never  since  I  arrived  at  the 
years  of  discretion  has  anything  taken  a  stronger 
hold  upon  my  mind ;  and  that  man  must  have  been 
made  of  strange  materials,  who  could  have  been  an 
indifferent  spectator.  Was  he  divinely  illuminated  ? 
Was  he  inspired  ?  or  was  the  whole  the  effect  of 
natural  causes  ?  These  are  questions  which  have 
arisen  in  the  minds  of  many,  and  must  be  left  for 
the  learned  of  two  professions  to  answer.  I  re- 
turned to  bed  deeply  reflecting  upon  the  past,  una- 
ble to  sleep,  when  about  nine  o'clock,  P.M.,  many 
hours  after  Kemble  had  been  laid  by,  I  was  called 
out  of  bed  to  visit  a  man  taken  suddenly  ill  in  his 
hammock,  hanging  near  Kemble's  apartment.  It 
was  an  hour  when  all,  but  the  watch  upon  deck, 
had  turned  in ;  general  silence  reigned,  and  all  the 
lights  below  put  out,  with  the  exception  of  a  single 
lamp  in  the  sick  man's  apartment,  where  lay  the 
remains  of  Kemble.  I  had  bled  the  sick  man — 
he  was  relieved.  I  entered  the  sick-room  before  I 
retired,  to  replace  something;  and  was  turning 
round  to  leave  it,  being  alone,  when  I  was  almost 
petrified  upon  beholding  Kemble  sitting  up  in  his 
berth,  with  his  eyes  (which  had  regained  their 
former  brilliancy  and  intelligence)  fixed  inteF,tly 
upon  mine.  I  became,  for  a  moment,  speechless 
and  motionless.  Thinks  I  to  myself,  What  have  I 
done,  or  left  undone  in  this  man's  case,  that  should 


REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES.  399 

cause  him  thus  to  stare  at  me  at  this  late  hour? — and 
alone  I  waited  a  long  time  in  painful  suspense,  dread- 
ing some  horrible  disclosure,  when  I  was  relieved  by 
his  commanding  me  to  fetch  him  some  water.  With 
what  alacrity  I  obeyed,  can  easily  be  imagined.  I 
gave  him  a  tin  mug  containing  water,  which  he  put 
to  his  mouth,  drank  the  contents,  and  returned  it 
to  me ;  then  laid  himself  quietly  down  for  the  last 
time.  His  situation  was  precisely  the  same,  in 
every  respect,  as  before  described.  The  time  had 
now  expired  which  he  had  said  was  given  to  re- 
main in  the  body. 

The  next  day  by  noon,  all  hands  attended,  as 
usual,  to  hear  the  funeral  service  read,  and  see  his 
remains  consigned  to  a  watery  grave.  It  was  an 
unusually  solemn  period.  Seamen  are  naturally 
superstitious,  and  on  this  occasion  their  minds  had 
been  wrought  upon  in  a  singular  manner.  Decorum 
is  always  observed  by  sailors  at  such  times ;  but 
now  they  were  all  affected  to  tears.  And  when  the 
body  was  slid  from  the  plank  into  the  sea,  every 
one  rushed  instinctively  to  the  ship's  side  to  take  a 
last  look.  The  usual  weights  had  been  attached  to 
the  feet;  yet,  as  if  in  compliment  to  their  anxiety 
to  see  more  of  him,  the  body  rose,  perpendicularly 
from  the  water,  breast  high,  two  or  three  times. 
This  incident  added  greatly  to  the  astonishment 
already  created  in  the  minds  of  the  men.  I  beg 
leave  to  remark  that  it  was  not  thought  proper  to 
keep  the  body  longer  in  the  warm  latitude  we  were 


400  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

in.  I  have  now  given  a  short  and  very  imperfect, 
sketch  of  the  important  events  attending  the  last 
illness  and  death  of  William  Kemble. 

The  change  produced  upon  the  crew,  was  for  a 
time  very  remarkable.  It  appeared  as  if  they 
would  never  smile  or  swear  again ;  but  the  effect 
wore  off  by  degrees,  except  when  the  subject  was 
renewed. 


REMARKABLE  DISCOVERY  OF  FRATRICIDE. 

IN  the  beginning  of  1815,  a  circumstance  took 
place  that  excited  much  interest  in  Paris.  A  sur- 
geon in  the  army,  named  Dautun,  was  arrested 
at  a  gambling-house,  in  the  Palais  Royal,  on  the 
testimony  of  a  scar  on  his  wrist.  Some  time 
before,  the  officers  of  the  night  had  found,  while 
passing  their  rounds  in  the  different  parts  of  the 
city,  four  parcels  tied  up.  One  contained  the  head, 
another  the  trunk,  a  third  the  thighs,  and  a  fourth 
the  legs  and  arms  of  a  man.  In  the  teeth,  tightly 
compressed,  was  a  piece  of  human  flesh,  apparently 
torn  out  in  the  dying  struggle.  The  parts  were 
collected,  and  put  together  in  their  regular  order, 
and  exhibited  for  a  number  of  days  at  the  Morgue. 
The  mystery  which  enveloped  this  dark  transac- 
tion excited  considerable  interest,  and  numbers 
went  to  view  the  corpse.  The  general  conviction 
was,  that  the  deceased  must  have  been  murdered ; 
but  for  a  number  of  weeks  no  light  was  thrown 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  401 

upon  the  circumstance.  When  the  body  could  not 
be  kept  any  longer,  a  cast  in  plaster  was  taken, 
fully  representing  the  murdered  victim,  which 
remained  for  some  time  exposed  to  the  public. 
Dautun  happened  to  be  engaged  in  gambling  at 
the  Palais  Royal — he  played  high  and  lost;  calling 
for  liquor,  and  being  angry  because  the  waiter  was 
somewhat  tardy,  Dautun  emptied  the  glass  and 
threw  it  at  him.  It  was  shivered  into  a  thousand 
pieces,  one  of  which  entered  into  Dautun's  wrist 
under  the  cuff  of  his  coat.  The  spectators  gathered 
round,  and  learning  the  accident,  wished  to  see  the 
gash ;  he  drew  down  his  sleeve,  and  firmly  pressed 
it  round  his  wrist;  they  insisted  on  seeing  it,  he 
obstinately  refused.  By  this  course  the  bystanders 
were  led  to  suppose  that  something  mysterious  was 
involved  in  this  conduct,  and  they  determined  at 
all  events  to  see  his  wrist.  By  force  they  pushed 
up  his  sleeve,  and  a  scar  recently  healed,  as  if 
made  by  tearing  out  of  flesh,  appeared.  The  land- 
lord had  been  at  the  Morgue,  had  seen  the  mur- 
dered man  with  the  flesh  between  the  teeth,  and 
it  struck  him  in  a  moment  that  the  flesh  was  torn 
from  this  man's  wrist.  Charging  them  to  keep 
him  safe,  he  hastened  to  call  in  the  legal  autho- 
rities, and  arrested  him.  Dautun  afterwards  con- 
fessed, that  being  quartered  at  Sedan,  and  without 
money,  he  came  to  Paris  to  try  some  adventure. 
Knowing  that  his  brother  had  a  large  sum  by  him, 
directly  on  his  arrival  he  went  to  his  lodgings,  in  a 
26 


402  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

retired  part  of  the  city,  about  eight  o'clock  in  the 
evening.  He  entered  the  house,  unnoticed  by  the 
porter,  and  passing  to  his  apartment,  found  his 
brother  asleep.  He  immediately  commenced  his 
work  of  death ;  his  brother  waking  up,  defended 
himself,  but  being  in  a  feeble  state  of  health,  he 
was  speedily  overpowered.  In  the  struggle  he  tore 
out  the  flesh.  Being  killed,  Dautun  cut  up  the 
body,  tied  it  up  in  four  parcels  as  before  mentioned, 
secured  the  money,  and  retired. 

He  also  confessed,  that  eleven  months  before 
this  he  had  murdered  an  aunt,  who  was  living 
with  a  second  husband,  to  obtain  money.  Her 
husband  was  arrested,  and  imprisoned  for  a  number 
of  months ;  but  as  nothing  appeared  to  criminate 
him,  he  had  been  discharged. 


THE  MURDERER'S  REMORSE. 

ONE  Sunday  evening,  says  the  Frederictown, 
Md.,  Expositor.,  of  1831,  a  man  who  called  himself 
Daniel  Shafer,  voluntarily  came  before  Michael 
Baltsell,  a  magistrate  of  this  city,  and  requested  to 
be  committed  to  prison,  alleging  that  he  had  com- 
mitted a  murder  during  the  last  winter,  in  Marietta, 
Pa. ;  and  that  the  reproaches  of  his  conscience  had 
become  so  severe,  that  he  was  unable  any  longer 
to  endure  them.  His  narrative  being  perfectly  co- 
herent, and  he  himself  appearing  entirely  sane,  the 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  403 

magistrate  complied  with  his  request  and  com- 
mitted him.  Since  that  time,  under  his  direction, 
communication  has  been  made  with  the  proper 
authorities  in  Marietta,  and  such  intelligence  re- 
ceived as  confirms  the  horrid  tale.  His  story  is, 
that  during  the  deep  snow  of  last  winter,  while  in 
a  state  of  intoxication,  he  entered  the  house  of  a 
widow  named  Bowers,  then  living  in  Marietta,  and 
after  violating  her  person,  put  her  to  death  by 
strangling  her.  The  fact  of  such  a  person  being 
found  dead  in  her  house,  about  the  time  stated,  is 
fully  substantiated  by  the  accounts  received  from 
Marietta ;  and  the  whole  demeanor  of  the  prisoner 
since  his  confinement,  as  well  as  his  positive  decla- 
rations, has  induced  a  general  belief  in  the  truth 
of  his  singular  confession. 

The  poor  wretch  was  returned  to  Lancaster 
county,  Pa.,  tried,  convicted,  and  suffered  the  ex- 
treme penalty  of  the  law. 


AN  AWFUL  WARNING. 

THE  Imperial  Magazine  contains  an  account  of  a 
remarkable  dream  related  by  Kev.  R.  Bowden,  of 
Darwen,  in  England,  who  committed  it  to  writing 
from  the  lips  of  the  clergyman  to  whom  it  happened. 
The  dream  suggests  a  most  solemn  and  affecting 
admonition. 

A  minister  of  evangelical  principles,  whose  name, 


404  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

from  the  circumstances  that  occurred,  it  will  be 
necessary  to  conceal,  being  much  fatigued  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  afternoon  service,  retired  to  his 
apartment  in  order  to  take  a  little  rest.  He  had 
not  long  reclined  upon  his  couch  before  he  fell 
asleep  and  began  to  dream.  He  dreamed  that  on 
walking  into  his  garden,  he  entered  a  bower  that 
had  been  erected  in  it,  where  he  sat  down  to  read 
and  meditate.  While  thus  employed  he  thought 
he  heard  some  one  enter  the  garden ;  and  leaving 
his  bower,  he  immediately  hastened  toward  the 
spot  whence  the  sound  seemed  to  come,  in  order  to 
discover  who  it  was  that  had  entered.  He  had  not 
proceeded  far  before  he  observed  a  particular  friend 
of  his,  a  clergyman  of  considerable  talents,  who  had 
rendered  himself  very  popular  by  his  zealous  and 
unwearied  exertions  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  On 
approaching  his  friend,  he  was  surprised  to  find 
that  his  countenance  was  covered  with  a  gloom 
which  it  had  not  been  accustomed  to  wear,  and  that 
it  strongly  indicated  a  violent  agitation  of  mind 
apparently  arising  from  conscious  remorse.  After 
the  usual  salutations  had  passed,  his  friend  asked 
the  relator  the  time  of  the  day ;  to  which  he  replied, 
"  Twenty-five  minutes  after  four."  On  hearing  this, 
the  stranger  said,  "  It  is  only  one  hour  since  I  died, 
and  now  I  am  damned."  "  Damned !  for  what  ?" 
inquired  the  minister.  "It  is  not,"  said  he,  "be- 
cause I  have  not  preached  the  gospel,  neither  is  it 
because  I  have  not  been  rendered  useful,  for  I  have 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  405 

many  souls  as  seals  to  my  ministry,  who  can  bear 
testimony  to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  which  they 
have  received  from  my  lips;  but  it  is  because  I 
have  been  seeking  the  applause  of  men  more  than 
the  honor  which  cometh  from  above,  and  verily,  I 
have  my  reward !"  Having  uttered  these  expres- 
sions he  hastily  disappeared,  and  was  seen  no  more. 
The  minister  awaking  shortly  afterward,  with 
the  dream  deeply  graven  on  his  memory,  proceeded, 
overwhelmed  with  serious  reflections,  towards  his 
chapel,  in  order  to  conduct  his  evening  service.  On 
his  way  thither  he  was  accosted  by  a  friend,  who 
inquired  whether  he  had  heard  of  the  severe  loss 
the  church  had  sustained  in  the  death  of  their  able 
minister.  He  replied,  "  No ;"  but  being  much 
affected  at  this  singular  intelligence,  he  inquired 
of  him  the  day  and  the  time  of  the  day  when  his 
departure  took  place.  To  this  his  friend  replied, 
"  This  afternoon,  at  twenty-five  minutes  after  three 
o'clock." 


THE  BURNING  OF  THE  RICHMOND  THEATRE. 

"  I  WAS  but  a  boy,  and  lived  in  the  city  of  Rich- 
mond, Virginia,  when  the  theatre  was  destroyed  by 
fire  in  December,  1811,  and  seventy-five  persons 
perished.  I  had  a  brother  older  than  myself,  who 
resided  there  at  the  same  time.  During  the  day 
which  preceded  the  fire  he  approached  me,  handing 
me  a  dollar,  and  saying  he  supposed  I  wanted  to 


406  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

attend  the  theatre  in  the  evening.  On  my  leaving 
home  to  reside  in  the  city,  my  mother  had  charged 
me  not  to  go  to  the  theatre ;  this  I  told  him,  add- 
ing, I  can't  disobey  my  mother.  Upon  this,  he 
took  back  the  dollar  he  had  given  me,  expressing 
much  contempt  for  my  course.  I  was  willing,  in- 
deed, and  even  anxious  to  retain  the  dollar,  but 
not  as  the  means  of  violating  my  mother's  com- 
mand. 

"  Night  came,  and  my  brother  attended  the  the- 
atre, accompanied  by  a  young  lady  of  the  city  to 
whom  he  was  shortly  to  be  married.  I  retired  to 
bed  at  an  early  hour,  and  knew  nothing  of  the  fire 
until  after  sunrise.  Then  I  learned  that  my  bro- 
ther, in  his  efforts  to  save  her,  had  narrowly 
escaped  death.  This  bereavement  was  to  him  a 
source  of  overwhelming  grief,  and  he  kept  his  room 
closely  for  nearly  a  month  afterwards.  He  never 
subsequently  said  aught  to  me  in  reference  to  the 
theatre,  or  as  to  my  course  in  refusing  to  attend." 

The  above  was  related  to  me  by  Dr.  F ,  now 

an  esteemed  minister  of  the  gospel  in  North  Caro- 
lina. Notice,  1.  The  theatre  was  new  to  him,  and 
he  might  have  made  this  a  plea  for  going.  2.  It 
would  have  cost  him  nothing,  the  price  of  admis- 
sion being  proffered  him  as  a  gift.  3.  The  exam- 
ple of  an  older  brother  was  before  him,  and  pre- 
sented a  strong  inducement  to  go.  4.  His  mother 
was  at  some  distance  from  the  place,  and  it  was 
very  likely  that  she  would  never  have  heard  of  her 


REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES.  407 

son's  disobedience.  But  the  noble  boy  lirmly  ad- 
,  hered  to  his  resolution,  "  I  can't  disobey  my  mo- 
ther." The  voice  of  God  seems  to  have  blended 
with  the  mother's  charge,  thus  restraining  the  foot- 
steps of  her  son,  and  in  all  probability  saving  his 
soul  as  well  as  body  from  death. 


A  PROVIDENTIAL  REVIVAL. 

IN  the  township  of  R.,  in  the  western  part  of 
New  York,  says  a  writer  in  the  Christian  Watch- 
man, without  any  special  or  known  cause,  numbers 
of  individuals  were  suddenly  aroused  to  anxious 
inquiry  and  trembling  respecting  their  souls.  Some, 
in  different  parts  of  the  town,  without  any  know- 
ledge of  the  affections  of  others,  were  alarmed  by 
the  consideration  of  their  sins.  Two  men,  from 
different  directions,  came  to  a  clergyman  in  the 
morning,  asking,  What  shall  we  do  ?  About  nine 
o'clock  in  the  same  morning,  one  of  the  members 
of  the  church  called  upon  the  same  clergyman  to 
go  and  visit  several  anxious  individuals  in  his 
neighborhood ;  and  before  night  it  was  ascertained 
that  almost  the  whole  population  of  a  considerable 
district  were  solemnly,  and  with  weeping,  asking 
the  prayers  and  instructions  of  the  people  of  God. 

Accompanied  by  the  pastor,  on  that  and  the  sub- 
sequent day,  we  visited  from  house  to  house ;  but 
wherever  we  went  the  Spirit  had  preceded  us.  The 


408  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 

whole  region  was  a  Bochim.  A  solemn  awe  per- 
vaded our  souls,  and  we  could  not  but  feel  that 
"  God  is  in  very  deed  in  our  midst." 

Revivals,  thus  commencing,  are,  indeed,  rare; 
but  where  they  do  occur,  they  show  very  clearly 
the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 


MRS.  ERSKINE'S  RECOVERY  FROM  DEATH. 

THERE  is  a  remarkable  circumstance  connected 
with  the  history  of  Ralph  Erskine,  which  is  well 
authenticated  in  that  part  of  Scotland  where  he 
lived.  His  mother  was  supposed  to  have  died,  and 
was  buried,  some  years  before  he  was  born.  She 
wore  on  her  finger,  at  the  time  of  her  death,  a  rich 
gold  ring,  which,  from  some  domestic  cause,  was 
highly  valued  by  the  family.  After  the  body  was 
laid  in  the  coffin,  an  attempt  was  made  to  remove 
it,  but  the  hand  and  finger  were  so  much  swollen 
that  it  was  found  impossible  to  do  so  without 
mutilating  the  body,  which  the  husband  would  not 
consent  to.  She  was  therefore  buried  with  the  ring 
on  her  finger. 

The  sexton,  who  was  aware  of  this  fact,  formed 
a  resolution  to  possess  the  ring.  Accordingly,  on 
the  same  night,  he  opened  the  grave  and  coffin. 
After  some  ineffectual  attempts  to  remove  the  ring 
from  the  finger,  he  drew  his  knife  for  the  purpose 
of  cutting  it  off.  He  lifted  the  stiff  arm, — made  an 


KKMAKKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  409 

incision  at  the  joint  of  the  finger, — the  blood 
flowed, — the  body  shuddered  and  lifted  itself  up- 
right in  the  coffin.  The  grave-digger  fled  with 
affright.  The  lady  crawled  from  the  grave,  and 
with  difficulty,  from  her  weakness,  made  her  way 
to  her  dwelling.  Her  husband,  who  was  a  minister, 
sat  in  his  study  conversing  with  a  friend,  when  she 
knocked  at  the  door.  He  started,  exclaiming,  "  If 
my  wife  was  not  in  her  grave,  I  should  say  that 
was  her  knock."  He  rose,  opened  the  door,  and 
stood  transfixed  with  astonishment.  There  stood 
his  wife  in  her  grave  clothes,  covered  with  blood. 
"  My  husband !"  she  exclaimed,  as  she  flung  herself 
into  his  arms.  As  soon  as  fright  and  surprise 
allowed,  she  was  borne  into  the  house  and  laid 
upon  a  bed.  It  was  some  time  before  she  fully  re- 
covered, but  she  became  a  healthy  woman,  and 
lived  several  years  after  this. 


QUINCEY   MAYNARD. 

BY  GEORGE  C.  M.  ROBERTS. 

THE  mere  announcement  of  this  name  will  call 
up  recollections  of  the  most  hallowed  and  touching 
nature  in  the  minds  of  scores  of  God's  children,  in 
whose  hearts'  warmest  affections  this  saint  of  God 
has  a  permanent  lodgment. 

His  name  is  of  very  precious  memory,  not  alone 


410  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

to  those  who  were  allied  to  him  by  the  tender  ties 
of  consanguinity,  but  to  those  also  who  were  his 
fellow-laborers  in  the  Lord's  field,  and  with  whom 
he  used  to  "take  sweet  counsel  as  they  walked  to- 
gether to  the  house  of  God  in  company"  there  to 
mingle  their  prayers  and  praises  in  the  temple  of 
the  "Most  High."  "And  their  name  was  legion" 
Many  of  them  have  long  since,  with  Maynard, 
finished  their  course  in  peace  and  triumph,  and 
gone  to  join  a  band,  the  rapture  of  whose  song  an 
angel's  mind  can  scarce  imagine.  Some  before,  and 
some  since,  he  was  called  to  " sleep  in  Jesus" 

His  end  was  tragical — in  a  moment,  unexpected, 
and  among  those  who  comparatively  were  strangers 
to  him  and  to  his  great  spiritual  worth.  His  sacred 
dust  sleeps  in  undisturbed  silence  and  repose  upon 
the  banks  of  the  Susquehanna,  near  the  spot 
where,  in  dreadful  pain  but  holy  triumph,  he  met 
and  conquered  death.  His  death  was  occasioned 
by  his  being  scalded  from  the  bursting  of  a  boiler 
of  the  first  steamer  employed  upon  that  part  of  the 
river,  and  that,  too,  on  her  first  experimental  trip. 

Reluctantly  he  had  consented  to  leave  his  family 
and  his  business  in  this  city  for  the  purpose  of  act- 
ing as  her  engineer,  for  which  he  was  eminently 
qualified.  At  the  earnest  and  repeated  solicitation 
of  those  who  knew  and  appreciated  his  capacity  in 
this  department,  he,  however,  yielded.  From  some 
cause,  unknown  and  unforeseen,  one  of  her  boilers 
gave  way,  and  Maynard  was  so  badly  scalded  as  to 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  411 

cause  death.  By  this  visitation  his  large  and  help- 
less family  was  deprived  of  its  earthly  stay,  and 
the  church  of  God  of  one  of  her  brightest  lights. 
The  church  triumphant,  however,  realized  an  addi- 
tion to  its  enraptured  throng  by  the  entrance  of  his 
freed  spirit  into  the  joys  of  heaven.  There  were 
tears  of  sorrow  on  earth  upon  the  part  of  those  who 
were  left  to  linger  a  little  longer  on  this  side  of 
Jordan,  waiting  the  summons  of  their  Lord  to  arise 
and  meet  him  in  the  upper  sanctuary.  There 
were  shouts  of  praise  amid  the  heavenly  host  en- 
gaged in  conveying  him  to  his  home  "  not  made  with 
hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens!' 

No  thought  can  reach,  and  no  tongue  declare 
the  ecstasy  which  since  that  period  to  the  present 
has  thrilled  the  bosoms  of  MAYNARD  and  GARY, 
DIXON  and  RUSSELL,  and  scores  of  others,  with 
whom  on  earth  they  so  often  commingled  in  labor, 
and  faith,  and  praise. 

I  must,  however,  turn  away  from  this  train 
of  thought,  pleasant  as  it  is,  not  being  immedi- 
ately germ  am  to  the  primary  object  in  preparing 
this  article,  viz.,  to  "illustrate  the  providence  of 
God,"  by  the  recital  of  a  few  facts  by  which  that 
providence  was  most  manifestly  signal,  in  seasons 
of  great  trial  and  want  in  the  history  of  his  ser- 
vant. Maynard,  though  a  star  of  the  first  magni- 
tude in  the  moral  heavens,  was  nevertheless  poor ; 
and  being  called  through  this  path  to  follow  his 


412  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

God,  was  not  unfrequently  exposed  to  very  strait- 
ened circumstances. 

The  facts  I  am  about  to  relate  are  of  unques- 
tionable authenticity,  and  derived  by  myself  and 
others  from  his  own  lips.  On  one  occasion,  in  the 
depth  of  winter,  himself  and  family  were  found 
with  their  small  stock  of  wood,  laid  up  for  their 
comfort,  almost  wholly  exhausted ;  scarce  enough 
wood,  for  the  support  and  comfort  of  his  tried  ones ; 
under  similar  circumstances,  his  prayer  was  upon 
the  altar,  and  left  with  his  Father  in  heaven.  He 
retired  to  bed  at  night,  not  knowing  how,  but  con- 
fident of  the  fact,  that  God's  immutable  and  eter- 
nal word  of  truth  would  be  fulfilled. 

Ere  the  morning  light  had  entirely  dispelled  the 
darkness  of  night,  a  load  of  wood  was  dropped  at 
his  door,  through  the  direction  of  some  kind  but 
unknown  friend.  "  How  mysterious  are  the  ways 
of.  God ;  past  finding  out !" 

On  another  occasion,  being  exceedingly  pressed 
in  his  circumstances,  and  needing  funds  to  meet  his 
immediate  necessities,  his  mind  became  so  much 
exercised  that  he  felt  himself  for  the  time  wholly 
disqualified  for  the  work  in  which  he  was  engaged. 
Laying  aside  the  tool  in  his  hand  (he  was  a  machi- 
nist), he  walked  to  the  door  of  his  shop.  After 
being  there  a  few  minutes,  he  was  accosted  by  an 
old  and  feeble  colored  man,  who  inquired  of  him, 
whether  he  knew  him.  Maynard  replied,  that  he 
did  not  remember  having  ever  seen  him  before. 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  413 

9 

T,he  colored  man  made  such  statements  as  caused 
him  very  soon  to  recollect  him.  The  sequel  proved 
that  several  years  before  this  interview,  he  had  done 
some  work  for  the  old  man,  for  which  he  had  never 
been  paid.  He  assured  him  that  he  had  not  met 
the  claim,  because  it  had  been  out  of  his  power. 
His  family  had  been  called  to  pass  through  a  series 
of  protracted  afflictions.  His  wife  had  died ;  and, 
subsequently,  he  had  been  ill,  and  because  of  his 
necessitous  condition,  was  compelled  to  seek  an 
asylum  in  the  almshouse.  Since  his  recovery  and 
dismissal  he  had  been  diligently  engaged  in  labor, 
and  by  great  economy,  had  succeeded  in  saving 
enough  to  liquidate  the  debt ;  for  which  purpose  he 
had  called. 

Once  more. 

At  a  season  of  great  depression,  a  gentleman 
who  knew  him  favorably  and  esteemed  him  highly, 
loaned  him  a  sum  of  money.  This  he  was  unable 
to  return,  although  considerable  time  had  elapsed 
since  the  reception  of  the  favor.  His  mind  became 
painfully  exercised  lest  the  gentleman  should  lose 
confidence  in  him.  One  morning,  after  partaking 
of  a  scanty  meal,  and  unable  to  perceive  any  open- 
ing by  which  more  could  be  obtained  to  meet  the 
pressing  wants  of  his  family,  he  left  his  humble 
dwelling  for  his  shop.  On  his  way  thitherward  he 
was  necessarily  obliged  to  pass  the  store  of  his 
friend.  Before  reaching  it,  he  saw  him  standing  in 
nis  doorway.  Fearing  lest  he  should  be  asked  for 
35* 


414  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 

what  was  justly  due,  and  thus  be  placed  under  the 
painful  necessity  of  soliciting  further  indulgence,  he 
crossed  the  street  to  avoid  him.  On  coming  to  a 
point  opposite  where  the  gentleman  was  standing, 
he  was  called  by  him.  He  obeyed  the  summons, 
persuaded  that  he  was  about  to  realize  the  fulfil- 
ment of  his  worst  fears. 

As  he  approached  him  his  friend  extended  his 
hand  toward  him  in  the  most  friendly  manner,  and 
kindly  inquired  as  to  the  state  of  his  health,  and 
that  of  his  family.  He  then  said,  "  Mr.  Maynard,  I 
called  you  because  I  have  this  morning  been  strangely 
and  strongly  impressed  that  you  were  at  this  time  in 
actual  need.  Here  are  ten  dollars,  which  you  will  do 
me  the  personal  favor  to  receive,  and  appropriate  to 
your  own  benefit  in  such  way  as  you  may  deem  most 
proper" 

As  might  be  expected,  an  interposition  of  Divine 
Providence,  so  clear  and  decided  as  this,  caused  his 
heart  to  leap  within  him  with  joy  and  gratitude, 
and  he  "  went  on  his  way  rejoicing." 

"  An  interposition  of  Divine  Providence  so  clear 
and  decided !"  Can  any  be  so  sceptical  as  to  doubt 
it?  Can  any  for  a  moment  suppose,  that  the  im- 
pressions upon  the  mind  of  that  gentleman  were 
the  result  of  chance  ? 

It  is  alike  contrary  to  reason,  sound  philosophy, 
common  sense,  and  divine  revelation,  to  attempt  to 
account  for  it  on  any  other  principle  than  this  great 
truth,  based  upon  numerous  declarations  of  God's 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  415 

word,  viz. :  God  saw  the  necessity  of  his  faithful 
child,  and  used  that  gentleman  as  his  own  special 
instrument,  in  providing  for  him  in  this  hour  of  his 
extremity. 

READER,  are  you  in  trouble  ?  Let  not  your  heart 
faint  within  you.  "  HAVE  FAITH  IN  GOD." 

Are  you  passing  through  the  most  severe  trials 
either  of  a  temporal  or  spiritual  character,  or  both 
conjoined  ?  If  your  heart  be  sincere,  fear  not, — 
"  HAVE  FAITH  IN  GOD  !"  Are  you  even  in  the  most 
abject  want  ?  Destitute  of  the  common  necessaries 
of  life  ?  Unable  to  perceive  one  single  ray  of  light 
in  the  path  before  you?  Do  the  companion  of 
your  sorrows  and  the  mutual  pledges  of  your  love 
— your  children — look  up  to  you  in  vain  for  food 
and  raiment?  Murmur  not.  "Be  careful  (i.  e., 
FULL  OF  CARE)  for  nothing"  An  eye  unseen  by 
yours,  watches  OVER  YOU.  A  heart  never  closed 
against  human  woe,  feels  FOR  YOU.  A  hand  never 
withdrawn  or  closed  against  any,  under  any  and  all 
the  adversities  of  this  life,  is  now  stretched  out  TO- 
WARDS YOU. 

A  voice,  in  strains  sweeter  than  angels  use,  now 
whispers  in  your  ear  and  heart,  "  BE  STILL  ;  IT  is  I." 
"  STAND  STILL,  AND  SEE  THE  SALVATION  OF  GOD." — 
Then,  "  HAVE  FAITH  IN  GOD." 


41C  REMARKABLE  PROVIDENCES. 


.     A  STORY  OF  A  JACK-KNIFE. 

THERE  is  a  moral  in  the  following  story,  taken 
from  the  Boston  Ledger.  How  rarely  does  it 
happen  (does  it  ever  happen?)  that  any  amount 
of  wealth  a  man  may  have  acquired  might  not  be 
measured  by  the  amount  of  virtuous  effort  that  he 
expended  in  acquiring  it !  Was  a  sudden  fortune 
ever  a  good  fortune  ? 

"  In  1786  a  youth,  then  residing  in  Maine, 
owned  a  jack-knife,  which  he,  being  of  a  somewhat 
trading  disposition,  sold  for  a  gallon  of  West  India 
rum.  This  he  retailed,  and  with  the  proceeds  pur- 
chased two  gallons,  aud  eventually  a  barrel,  which 
was  followed  in  due  time  with  a  large  stock.  In  a 
word,  he  got  rich,  and  became  the  squire  of  the 
district,  through  the  possession  and  sale  of  the  jack- 
knife,  and  an  indomitable  trading  industry.  He 
died  leaving  property,  in  real  estate  and  money 
value,  worth  $80,000.  This  was  divided  by  testa- 
ment among  four  children,  three  boys  and  a  girl. 
Luck,  which  seemed  the  guardian  angel  of  the 
father,  deserted  the  children;  for  every  folly  and 
extravagance  they  could  engage  in  seemed  to  occupy 
their  exclusive  attention  and  cultivation.  The 
daughter  married  unfortunately,  and  her  patrimony 
was  soon  thrown  away  by  her  spendthrift  of  a  hus- 
band. The  sons  were  no  more  fortunate,  and  two 


REMARKABLE1  PROVIDENCES.  417 

of  them  died  of  dissipation,  and  in  poverty.  The 
daughter  also  died.  The  last  of  the  family,  for 
many  years  past,  has  lived  on  the  kindness  of  those 
•who  knew  him  in  the  days  of  prosperity,  as  pride 
would  not  allow  him  to  go  to  the  poor-farm.  A 
few  days  ago  he  died,  suddenly  and  unattended,  in 
a  barn,  where  he  had  laid  himself  down  to  take  a 
drunken  sleep.  On  his  pockets  being  examined,  all 
that  was  found  in  them  was  a  small  piece  of  string 
and  a  jack-knife !  So  the  fortune  that  began  with 
the  implement  of  that  kind  left  its  simple  duplicate. 
We  leave  the  moral  to  be  drawn  in  whatever  fashion 
it  may  suggest  itself  to  the  reader,  simply  stating  that 
the  story  is  a  true  one,  and  all  the  facts  well  known 
to  many  whom  this  relation  will  doubtless  reach.'' 


THE  STOLEN  WATCH  RECOVERED. 

THE  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  received 
not  long  since  from  a  friend.  We  insert  it  for  the 
interest  of  the  event  which  it  narrates. 

"  On  one  occasion  a  man  came  into  my  store,  and 
after  looking  around,  selected  a  gold  watch,  chain, 
and  other  articles,  amounting  in  all  to  $180,  and 
requested  me  to  send  them  to  his  boarding-house, 
when  he  would  pay  for  them.  They  were  sent  by 
a  clerk,  who,  after  a  little  while,  came  back  saying, 
the  man  had  got  off  with  the  articles.  I  imme- 
diately went  to  the  boarding-house  myself,  but 

27 


418  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES 

nobody  knew  him  there.  As  it  was  about  time 
for  the  Baltimore  train  to  start,  I  hastened  to  the 
depot.  The  train  had  started,  and  a  man  answer- 
ing his  description  had  been  seen  to  get  out  of  a 
carriage  just  at  the  moment  of  leaving.  I  then 
went  to  the  mayor's  office  and  telegraphed  to  Balti- 
more ;  and  offered  a  reward  of  twenty-five  dollars 
for  the  recovery  of  iny  property. 

"  Feeling  greatly  distressed,  for  I  could  not  afford 
to  lose  the  articles,  I  lifted  my  heart  to  God  for 
deliverance,  vowing  to  give  twenty-five  dollars  to 
the  missionary  cause  if  I  recovered  my  goods. 
Shortly  after  this,  I  felt  impressed  to  go  to  the 
depot  of  the  New  York  line  at  Kensington.  I  did 
so;  arriving  there  just  before  the  train  started.  I 
passed  through  the  cars,  and  in  the  last  one  found 
the  thief;  had  him  secured  and  taken  to  the 
mayor's  office,  where  I  recovered  my  goods.  Per- 
haps I  need  not  say,  I  have  paid  my  vow  unto 
the  Lord." 


STRANGE  FULFILMENT  OF  A  DREAM. 

WE  have  the  following  from  a  near  relative. 
Though  personally  acquainted  with  the  facts  at  the 
time  of  their  occurrence,  we  prefer  giving  them  as 
related  by  her. 

"In  18 —  I  removed  with  my  husband  and  family 
to  W ,  N.  J.  My  husband  was  employed  as  a 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  419 

fireman  on  the  C R.  R.,  and  was  much  from 

home.  Far  from  my  parents  and  friends,  among 
strangers,  my  children  small,  I  passed  many  lone- 
some and  unhappy  hours.  One  night  I  dreamed  I 
was  with  my  husband  in  a  large  and  crowded  mar- 
ket;  in  the  midst  of  the  crowd  and  bustle,  he  be- 
came separated  from  me.  To  add  to  my  distress, 
I  dropped  my  money,  consisting  of  small  change. 
While  endeavoring  to  gather  it  up  from  the  feet  of 
the  busy  crowd,  an  old  Quaker  gentleman  came  to 
my  assistance,  and,  after  collecting  my  money, 
offered  to  take  me  to  my  husband.  He  led  me  to 
another  gentleman,  dressed  in  a  long  overcoat,  who 
took  me  in  a  carriage  drawn  by  a  white  horse  to 
my  husband. 

"  I  awoke  next  morning  very  much  depressed ;  an 
awful  and  unaccountable  weight  seemed  to  be 
crushing  me.  Sometime  in  the  earlier  part  of  the 
day,  I  started  out  to  the  store ;  I  had  not  proceeded 
far,  when  I  met  an  old  Quaker  gentleman,  living 
in  the  village,  in  company  with  a  stranger  wearing 
a  long  overcoat.  I  at  once  recognised  them  as  the 
persons  of  my  dream,  and  grew  faint  and  sick  with 
apprehension.  They  led  me  to  the  house,  and  in- 
formed me  my  husband  had  met  with  an  accident. 
Mr.  V.,  the  stranger,  an  engineer  on  the  railroad, 
brought  a  carriage,  drawn  by  a  white  horse,  and 

took  me  to  the  cars,  and  thence  to  A ,  where 

ruy  husband  was  lying,  having  lost  a  limb  by  falling 
under  the  locomotive." 


420  REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES. 


REMARKABLE  SPECIAL  PROVIDENCES. 


IT  is  an  authentic  fact,  that  during  the  terrible 
massacre  in  Paris,  in  which  many  eminent  Christ- 
ians were  cruelly  killed,  the  celebrated  preacher, 
Peter  Moulin,  was  preserved  for  further  usefulness 
to  the  cause  of  the  gospel,  in  a  most  remarkable 
manner.  He  crept  into  a  brick  oven  to  conceal 
himself,  but  had  little  hope  of  remaining  undisco- 
vered in  the  ferreting  search  for  slaughter  that  was 
carried  on.  In  the  kind  providence  of  God,  a  spi- 
der immediately  crawled  to  the  opening  of  the  good 
man's  retreat,  and  wove  a  web  across  it.  The  dust 
blew  upon  the  airy  screen  and  made  it  dingy ;  so 
that  the  place  appeared  long  unfrequented.  The 
enemies  of  the  Christians  soon  passed  by,  and  one 
of  them  carelessly  remarked,  "  No  one  could  have 
been  in  that  oven  for  several  days  !" 

What  a  touching  idea  does  this  incident  give  of 
our  Father's  protecting  love  for  his  children ! 


AN  anecdote,  similar  in  character,  is  related  of 
Mr.  Churchill,  a  native  of  England,  who  had  taken 
up  his  abode  in  India,  about  two  miles  from  Viza- 
gapatam.  Soon  after  sunset,  on  one  occason,  while 
he  was  sitting  in  his  dwelling,  of  which  the  outer 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  421 

door  was  thrown  open,  meditating  with  deep  sorrow 
upon  the  recent  loss  of  his  wife,  and  the  helpless- 
ness of  his  little  children,  who  were  lying  asleep 
near  him,  he  was  suddenly  thrilled  with  terror  to 
see  a  monstrous  tiger  cross  the  threshold  of  his 
house,  and  enter  the  room,  with  glaring  eyes  and  a 
ferocious  howl.  But  the  animal  caught  sight  of 
his  full-sized  image  reflected  in  a  large  mirror  oppo- 
site the  door,  and  rushing  at  it  with  all  his  fury, 
breaking  it  into  a  thousand  fragments,  he  suddenly 
turned  and  fled  from  the  spot.  Thus  providentially 
did  God  preserve  two  little  children  and  their  father 
from  the  jaws  of  a  wild  beast ! 


LESS  thrilling,  but  not  less  remarkable,  is  the  in- 
cident related  in  the  following  epitaph,  which  is 
copied  from  a  tomb  near  Port-Royal,  in  the  isle  of 
Jamaica : — 

"  Here  lieth  the  body  of  Louis  Calda,  a  native  of 
Montpelier,  in  France,  which  country  he  left  on 
account  of  the  Revocation.  He  was  swallowed  up 
by  the  earthquake  which  occurred  in  this  place  in 
1692,  but,  by  the  great  providence  of  God,  was,  by 
a  second  shock,  flung  into  the  sea,  where  he  con- 
tinued swimming  till  rescued  by  a  boat,  and  lived 
forty  years  afterward." 


36 


422  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

IN  the  Bartholomew  massacre,  which  we  have 
already  mentioned,  at  the  order  of  the  King  of 
France,  the  Admiral  de  Coligny  was  put  to  death 
in  his  own  house.  His  chaplain,  the  pious  Merlin, 
fled  from  the  murderers,  who  designed  also  to  take 
his  life,  and  hid  himself  in  a  loft  of  hay.  After 
the  days  of  blood  were  over,  and  the  Protestants 
were  suffered  to  keep  their  lives  and  their  religion, 
a  synod  was  convened,  of  which  he  was  the  moder- 
ator. In  this  assembly,  when  it  was  stated  that 
many  who  had  taken  refuge  in  similar  retreats,  per- 
ished from  starvation,  he  was  asked  how  he  con- 
trived to*keep  himself  alive  ?  He  replied — giving 
thanks  to  God  while  he  said  it — that  a  hen  laid  an 
egg  every  day  during  his  concealment,  in  a  nest  so 
near  to  him  that  he  could  reach  it  with  his  hand ! 


THE  celebrated  Dr.  Calamy,  in  his  "  Life  and 
Times,"  related  that  he  knew  a  sea  captain  named 
Stevens,  of  Harwich,  England,  who  was  once,  by  a 
wonderful  providence,  preserved  from  drowning, 
together  with  all  his  crew.  While  on  a  homeward 
passage  from  Holland,  the  vessel  sprung  a  leak,  and 
the  water  gained  in  the  hold  so  rapidly  that,  in 
spite  of  the  pumps,  which  were  worked  with  the 
energy  of  despair,  all  on  board  soon  gave  themselves 
up  for  lost.  Suddenly,  however,  and  to  the  surprise 
of  all,  the  waLer  ceased  to  gain  in  depth,  and  the 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  423 

pumps  being  again  plied,  the  ship  safely  reached 
her  harbor.  After  her  arrival,  it  was  discovered  on 
examination,  that  the  body  of  a  fish  had  become  so 
firmly  wedged  in  the  leak  that  it  could  with  diffi- 
culty be  taken  out  whole  !  It  is  but  of  little  con- 
sequence, though  it  is  an  established  fact,  that  the 
fish  was  preserved  in  alcohol,  and  kept  as  a  curios- 
ity in  the  family  of  Captain  Stevens. 

In  view  of  these  striking  instances  of  Divine 
Providence,  how  can  we  think  of  our  Father  in 
heaven,  and  not  be  touched  with  the  thought  of 
that  tender  love  which  leads  him  to  take  such  won- 
derful care  of  his  children  ?  Truly,  we  may  "  cast 
all  our  care  upon  him,  for  he  careth  for  us." 


A  MERCHANT  SAVED  FROM  BANKRUPTCY. 

WE  have  received  from  a  friend  the  following 
striking  illustration  of  the  ways  of  Providence  in 
the  affairs  of  men.  It  occurred  during  the  severe 
monetary  pressure  of  1858  ;  and  should  encourage 
all  hearts  to  commit  to  God  their  temporal  interests. 
We  give  the  substance  of  his  letter.  "  The  heaviest 
and  most  important  engagements  of  my  business 
life  were  maturing  in  the  month  of  July.  I  had 
made  them  the  subject  of  earnest  prayer  to  God, 
and  felt  myself  to  be  in  His  hands,  and  at  the  dis- 
posal of  his  goodness.  I  laid,  in  due  time,  before 
the  Board  of  Directors  of  our  bank,  for  discounting, 


424  REMARKABLE   PROVIDENCES. 

real  negotiable  paper,  in  amount  50  per  cent,  more 
than  my  payments  about  coming  due.  This  re- 
source had  never  before  failed  me,,  but,  owing  to 
some  peculiar  circumstances  surrounding  the  bank 
at  that  time,  no  paper  was  discounted.  I  then  be- 
came not  a  little  distressed  in  mind,  but  continued 
to  carry  the  matter  before  the  Lord  regularly  in  all 
my  private  devotions.  Bankruptcy  and  ruin  stared 
me  in  the  face. 

"  What  apparently  added  much  to  my  difficulties, 
I  was  compelled  to  leave  home  and  attend  court  in 
an  adjoining  county  only  a  few  days  prior  to  the 
maturity  of  two  of  the  heaviest  notes. 

"I  went,  trusting  in  God  for  deliverance ;  all  other 
hope  had  fled.  I  remained  from  Monday  morning 
until  Thursday  afternoon.  On  Friday  the  two  notes 
above  referred  to  must  be  paid  or  be  protested.  I 
returned  home,  pledging  myself  to  be  back  in  time 
to  answer  the  call  of  my  name  next  morning  at  9 
o'clock.  On  reaching  home,  after  speaking  a  few 
minutes  with  my  wife  and  children,  I  shut  myself 
up  in  my  room  and  poured  out  the  agony  of  my 
mind  before  the  Lord.  I  then  repaired  to  my  place 
of  business,  but  learned  my  receipts  were  even  less 
than  usual  for  the  same  space  of  time.  I  returned 
home  for  supper,  and  at  the  family  altar  had  liberty 
in  prayer.  Immediately  after  tea  I  repaired  to  my 
closet ;  the  Lord  was  with  me,  my  soul  was  made 
happy,  and  I  felt  perfectly  resigned  to  the  will  of 
God,  be  my  fate  what  it  might.  I  still  felt  it  to  be 


REMARKABLE    PROVIDENCES.  425 

ray  duty  to  use  every  possible  effort  to'  secure  the 
money.  I  set  out  on  the  endeavor,  confidently 
believing  that  relief  would  come,  though  I  knew 
not  how.  Up  till  9  o'clock  in  the  evening  every 
effort  had  been  unavailing.  I  was  passing  along 
the  street  on  my  return  from  the  last  place  at  which 
I  had  hoped  to  secure  some  money,  when  a  gentle- 
man touched  me  on  the  shoulder,  and,  familiarly 
calling  my  name,  said  he  wished  to  speak  to  me. 
We  stepped  aside,  and  he  said,  *  I  stopped  you  to  say 
that  if  you  are  in  want  of  some  money  I  can  ac- 
commodate you.'  Here  was  the  deliverance  I  had 
looked  for ;  my  heart  was  too  full  to  say  more  than 
'I  thank  you,  Sir.'  All  necessary  arrangements 
were  made  for  the  payment  of  my  notes,  and  I 
went  home  with  a  heart  overflowing  with  gratitude 
to  God." 

A  remarkable  feature  in  the  above  case  is,  that 
no  application  had  been  made  to  the  person  who 
proffered  this  relief,  but,  as  he  expressed  it,  he  felt 
himself  moved  to  make  the  offer. 


THE   END. 


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